Professor of IPB University: Indonesia’s Local Wisdom Agroforestry Effectively Maintains Biodiversity
Professor of Agroforestry Science at IPB University, Prof Nurheni Wijayanto, comprehensively explained how agroforestry can be the answer to environmental and economic challenges in Indonesia.
Prof Nurheni explained that the agroforestry model has proven effective in offering adaptive solutions for three key ecosystems in Indonesia, namely tropical forests, peatlands, and coastal areas.
“For tropical forests, agroforestry models such as coffee or cocoa with shade-grown trees can maintain biodiversity and prevent soil erosion and provide wildlife habitat,” he said.
For peatlands, paludiculture with adaptive plants such as sago and jelutong is effective in preventing fires and CO₂ emissions, and is supported by local practices of the Dayak community, such as the beje system (fish ponds with natural peat plants) and cultivation of peat pineapple and kelakai (one of the ferns or ferns).
While in coastal areas, mangrove agroforestry (silvofishery) integrates mangroves with shrimp/fish farms, providing coastal protection from abrasion and tsunamis, and providing habitat for marine life.
“In the restoration of critical ecosystems, silvofishery even shows an extraordinary carbon sequestration capacity, which is 3-5 times more than inland tropical forests, making it a vital strategy for coastal ecosystems,” he said.
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
Furthermore, Prof Nurheni revealed, one of the most important contributions of agroforestry is carbon sequestration and storage. Shade trees, such as Samanea saman and Gliricidia, along with woody plants, effectively store carbon in biomass and soil. In peatlands, paludiculture practices significantly prevent peat decomposition, which is a major source of CO₂ release.
In addition, agroforestry contributes to reducing deforestation. By providing the required resources from already managed land, pressure on natural forests for exploitation is reduced.
“Agroforestry can also reduce emissions from conventional agriculture. Replacing chemical fertilizers with green manure, especially from legume crops, can reduce N₂O emissions. Livestock integration with legume leaf-based feed also helps reduce methane emissions,” he said.
Not only mitigation, agroforestry is also essential for adaptation. It improves food and economic security through crop diversification, reducing the risk of crop failure due to extreme weather.
On the environmental side, tree roots stabilize soil and prevent erosion and flooding, while agroforestry also modulates microclimate with tree shade that lowers local temperatures and reduces evaporation.
Local Wisdom
Prof Nurheni cited several successful case studies of agroforestry in Indonesia. The Repong Damar system (Krui, Lampung) that combines cat’s eye resin, coffee, pepper and fruits has managed to maintain 80% of biodiversity equivalent to natural forests, store high carbon, and provide a sustainable economy.
“Jungle-rubber agroforestry in Jambi and South Sumatra, which combines natural rubber planting with native forest trees, is able to restore degraded soils and increase rubber yields by 30 percent compared to monoculture systems,” he explained.
Other successful programs include Paludiculture Peat in Central Kalimantan, which uses jelutong, sago and purun planting to restore peat hydrology and reduce peatland fires by 70 percent.
Mangrove Silvofishery in Demak, Central Java, which integrates shrimp/mushroom ponds with mangroves, has reduced coastal abrasion and increased shrimp productivity by 40 percent.
Government and Community Synergy Key to Success
Prof Nurheni explained that the successful adoption of sustainable agroforestry in Indonesia relies heavily on strong synergy between the government and the community.
The Indonesian government has shown commitment through various policies, including license simplification (Permen LHK No. P.24/2020), seed subsidies, land tax exemption for sustainable agroforestry land, and product certification (SVLK). National programs such as Social Forestry (target of 12,7 million ha), the National Movement for Watershed Restoration, and the Independent Peat Care Village are also the backbone.
“The role of community participation is a key actor in the success of agroforestry. Local wisdom and traditional practices such as the Repong Damar System and Kebun Talun are evidence of the adoption of mixed cropping patterns for generations,” he said.
Local institutions such as Forest Farmer Groups (Kelompok Tani Hutan, KTH) and Customary Institutions (Lembaga Adat) facilitate access to assistance and management. Self-help initiatives, such as Community Seed Banks and collective marketing of products, are also developing.
“The key to the success of these models lies in community involvement, diversification of products, adaptive approaches according to hydrological and salinity conditions, and policy support such as certification of environmentally friendly products,” he explained.
Prof Nurheni concluded that agroforestry is not just a theory, but a real solution that has worked in the field with significant positive impacts, emphasizing the importance of participatory approaches, yield diversification, policy support, and ecosystem-based restoration. (AS) (IAAS/LAN)
