Nurturing Water, Revitalising the Economy

On the slopes of Mount Merapi, water no longer simply flows down towards the river. It is conserved, retained, and slowly returned to the soil. From that upstream area, the benefits of water flow far, fertilising rice fields, enlivening river tourism, and creating new sources of income. For the residents around Merapi, water conservation does not stop at environmental matters alone. But there is an economic impact that grows slowly and is felt tangibly. For the residents of Desa Mriyan, Tamansari Subdistrict, Boyolali Regency, for example, landslides and water shortages during the dry season have always been annual threats. The steep slopes and farming patterns are the triggers. In the past, most residents planted horticulture such as vegetables using old patterns that caused water to immediately flow down, carrying erosion. “But now we make the water seep into the soil first,” said Painu, a local farmer, on Tuesday (5/5/2026). The changes were made through various conservation methods. Farmers began implementing planting along the land contours, creating terraces, planting strip grass in each plot of land, and making rorak or holes to hold rainwater. The impact is slowly being felt. The soil becomes more stable, the risk of landslides decreases. During the dry season, water reserves are better maintained. But what is interesting is that conservation does not make farmers lose their old sources of income. The community is instead seeking a compromise point so that conservation continues without sacrificing the economy. “In the past, the main income was only from planting roses and tobacco, now there is additional income from planting coffee,” said Painu with a smile, while inviting to enjoy a brew of Gumuk Merapi coffee. This scheme makes water conservation have real economic value. The better the land management, from the number of trees to soil processing methods, the greater the economic benefits received by farmers. The change did not happen instantly. Education for the community took about two years since it started in 2016. Initially, residents tended to be neutral and did not yet understand the benefits of conservation. However, the experience of facing landslides on land with slopes reaching 45 degrees became the turning point for community awareness.