The Strategy of Upland Tropical Agriculture Development Towards Sustainable Environmental Management: Case Study at Ngebel, Ponorogo District, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Ngebel Sub District is located at the upland of Wilis Mountain which is a conservation area at Ponorogo Regency East Java, Indonesia, Ngebel Sub District has large springs accumulated at the Ngebel Lake. The water is used for Hydroelectric Power Plant (HEPP) and agricultural irrigation water source for surrounding areas that have a lower location. Beautiful panoramic of Ngebel Lake make it as a tourism destination. Most of people at Ngebel Village as farmers with dry land tenure with many varieties of annual crops and animal husbandry.

The objectives of the study were to: (1) analyze the feasibility of annual crops farming; (2) develop the strategy of upland tropical agriculture development at Ngebel Village towards sustainable environmental management. Survey method with purposive sampling method was used in this study. Primary and secondary data from many agencies were used. Primary data collecting was done by interviewing 30 farmers.

The results of the feasibility analysis showed that durian, mangosteen and various other tropical plants in the mixed farming system were feasible. SWOT analysis result indicates that the suitable strategy to apply is a strengths - opportunity (SO) strategy. This strategy is intended to maximize the strengths and use the opportunities that exist. The alternative of SO strategies are including: develop the agriculture and tourism potential at Ngebel Sub District by agro tourism; develop local commodities and give opportunity for farmers to cultivate the “Perhutani” land and support the financial aspect from the Indonesia Government Bank; develop the economic instruments for environmental management as an implementation of The Law number 32/2009 bay tax and subsidy mechanism; and designing The Payments for Environmental Services (PES) with charging cost for downstream population and for Hydroelectric Power Plant who receives the benefits for environmental services and give incentives for farmers who preserve the environment.

Keywords: Ngebel, Ponorogo, upland tropical agriculture, sustainable environmental management, payments for environmental services