Dudukuhan Tree Farming Systems in West Java: How to Mobilize Self-Strengthening of Community-Based Forest Management? - Smallholder Tree Growing for Rural Development and Environmental Services - page 94

4.1 Background

In Indonesia, most agroforestry systems are established through shifting cultiva-
tion, which complements relationships between trees and crops, and between for-
ests and farming systems (Michon and de Foresta 1995). Under this relationship
natural forests support the livelihoods of local people and at the same time forest
vegetation gradually establish on farms (De Foresta et al. 2000). Indonesia boasts a
number of agroforestry models that establish gradually and integrate both biophysi-
cal and socioeconomic functions. Examples of these models include: the repong
damar resin producing system of Krui, Lampung; the jungle rubber systems of
Jambi and South Sumatra; the tembawang (fruit and timber products) system of
West Kalimantan; the pelak system of Kerinci, Jambi; the durian system of Gunung
Palung, West Kalimantan; the parak system in Maninjau, West Sumatra; and the
talun systems of West Java (De Foresta et al. 2000).
The talun system is called dudukuhan in Sundanese, the local language of West
Java. There is no recognized difference between dudukuhan and talun systems.
Dudukuhan systems are divided into four types: (1) timber system, (2) mixed
fruit-timber-banana-annual crops system, (3) mixed fruit-timber system, and (4) fallow
system. These systems are distinguished from homegardens ( pekarangan ) by location
- away from the house - and a lower level of management. Traditionally all types of
dudukuhan are managed on an extractive basis, few inputs (quality germplasm, fertilizers,
labor, etc.) are allocated to these systems. Farmers favor this management approach
because of limited land tenure, small landholding size, off-farm employment opportu-
nities, limited market access, or their limited experience with intensive tree manage-
ment. Limited management results in low system productivity and low farm income.
A study was conducted to characterize dudukuhans and evaluate their potential to
reduce poverty and provide environmental services. Three key points were addressed:
(1) tree diversity and dudukuhan profiles (important characteristics), (2) farmers'
perceptions regarding tree species selection and tree use in dudukuhans, and
(3) identify and analyze options for empowering and mobilizing farmers' self-interest
to enhance dudukuhan productivity and profitability and provide environmental
services. Results from the study were used by World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF),
Winrock International, the Indonesia Institute for Forest and Environment (RMI)
and government extension agency to help farmers improve the productivity and
market-orientation of their dudukuhans and recognize the value of the environmental
services provided by dudukuhans. This paper presents key results of the study.

4.2 Methods

4.2.1 Site

The study was conducted in Nanggung subdistrict (kecamatan) located at longitude
106° 27 ′ 35 ′′ to 106° 35 ′ 26 ′′ and latitude 06° 33 ′ 25 ′′ to 06° 45 ′ 45 ′′ . Nanggung