Sudrajat Sudrajat

A Study on the Protection of Terraced Agricultural Land Based on Local Wisdom in Argapura, Majalengka Regency

Introduction

A study on the protection of terraced agricultural land based on local wisdom in argapura, majalengka regency. Discover how local wisdom in Argapura, Majalengka, protects terraced agricultural land. This study highlights traditional practices that combat degradation and enhance agricultural productivity.

Abstract

Currently, the role of local wisdom in agricultural land protection practices appears to be diminishing due to modernization, generational changes, and shifts in agricultural production orientation, posing a challenge to the sustainability of agriculture. This study aims to: (1) examine the types of land degradation occurring in terraced lands; (2) analyze the types of local wisdom-based land protection practices still applied by terraced land farmers; and (3) assess the influence of local wisdom-based land protection on the productivity of terraced agricultural land. From a population of 504 farmers, a sample of 100 was selected using Slovin’s formula with a 10% margin of error through simple random sampling. Additionally, 10 key informants were included, comprising farmers, farmer group leaders, and village officials. Primary data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews with informants. Sensitivity tests were conducted to ensure data consistency and validity. Data were processed using SPSS 28, and the results were presented in graphs and analyzed using descriptive qualitative methods, supported by findings from in-depth interviews. The study found that soil erosion and micro-landslides on terrace embankments are the most dominant types of land degradation experienced by farmers, which significantly affect agricultural productivity. To address these issues, farmers implement local wisdom-based land protection practices, including constructing bench terraces, using organic fertilizers derived from agricultural waste, collaboratively repairing irrigation channels, and prohibiting the burning of waste. Empirically, these practices have been able to maintain and even improve agricultural productivity.

Review

This study addresses a critically relevant issue concerning the diminishing role of local wisdom in agricultural land protection practices amidst modernization, generational changes, and shifts in production orientation, which poses a significant threat to agricultural sustainability. Focusing on the terraced agricultural lands of Argapura, Majalengka Regency, the research clearly outlines its objectives: to identify prevalent land degradation types, analyze existing local wisdom-based land protection practices, and assess their influence on agricultural productivity. The topic is timely and geographically specific, promising valuable insights into practical, community-driven solutions for land management. Employing a robust mixed-methods approach, the research effectively combined quantitative data from a sample of 100 farmers, selected via Slovin’s formula with simple random sampling, with qualitative insights gathered from 10 key informants through in-depth interviews. Data consistency and validity were assured through sensitivity tests, with analysis utilizing SPSS 28, graphs, and descriptive qualitative methods. The findings are compelling, identifying soil erosion and micro-landslides on terrace embankments as the most dominant forms of land degradation, which severely impact agricultural productivity. Crucially, the study highlights several local wisdom practices farmers implement to counteract these issues, including constructing bench terraces, using organic fertilizers from agricultural waste, collaboratively repairing irrigation channels, and prohibiting waste burning. Empirically, these traditional methods are shown to effectively maintain and even enhance agricultural productivity. This research offers significant strengths, particularly its empirical validation of local wisdom practices in maintaining and improving agricultural productivity, providing concrete examples from the Argapura region. The clear identification of specific degradation types and the corresponding traditional solutions offers valuable, context-specific insights for sustainable land management. While demonstrating the efficacy and application of these practices, future research could delve deeper into the socio-cultural mechanisms that enable their continued adoption amidst modernization pressures, or explore the precise economic benefits and challenges associated with their implementation for broader policy implications. Nevertheless, this study makes a compelling contribution to the discourse on sustainable agriculture, underscoring the enduring relevance and practical benefits of integrating traditional knowledge into contemporary land protection strategies.

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