The sale of cattle presents a significant opportunity to improve livelihoods for smallholder farmers in eastern Indonesia. An opportunity was identified to grow herbaceous forage legumes either in rotation with, or sown within, staple grain crops (maize, rice) to use surplus soil moisture to produce a feed bank for (mostly penned) cattle and potentially increase nitrogen supply to the grain crops. A series of experiments was conducted on Vertisol, Alfisol and Inceptisol soils in lowland and upland districts of eastern Indonesia to identify legumes from 18 taxa suitable for integrated crop-forage systems. Clitoria ternatea and Centrosema pascuorum were found to have best potential for these systems as they established reliably using local methods, consistently ranked highly for herbage yields 2–4 months after sowing and were relatively easy to harvest. Yields were highest on the Vertisol (greatest number of sites) and Inceptisol soils. Lablab purpureus, Macroptilium bracteatum and Mucuna pruriens also ranked high for yield on Vertisol soils. Clitoria ternatea regrew consistently after cutting and forage removal providing potential for extended forage production as growing conditions allow.

The rice yield gap (YG) is a global concern, requiring more detailed studies spatially and temporally. As a staple food in Indonesia, rice was produced from 7.4 Mha paddy fields in 2019. Better insight into the YG helps assess measures to boost rice production. However, the information on YG variation among regions scale is limited. This study aimed to identify the rice YG based on 295 historical trial datasets from 23 provinces in Indonesia. We surveyed published trial results from 2012 to 2022 and analyzed YGs, expressed as the percentage of farmer yield (FY). The potential yield (PY) was estimated from field trial results using introduced rice cultivation technology package, whereas FY from results using existing farmer practices. Our study showed that the average YG was 62% in rainfed, 54% in tidal, and 32% in irrigated paddy fields. The YG was significantly high in the paddy fields of Kalimantan (74%) and Maluku-Papua (49%), while the lowest was in Sulawesi (27%) and Java (31%). The YG varied significantly with geo-regions, rice varieties, and cultivation technology packages. Closing the YG and ensuring sustainable rice production requires the implementation of sustainable intensification through applying site-specific technology packages, reallocation of agricultural interventions to a higher YG region, and rice variety improvement to increase PY.

Despite numerous programs implemented for beef self-sufficiency in Indonesia, beef demand has steadily increased, while national beef production supplies only half of the national market demand.Smallholder farmers plays a pivotal role in beef sector since more than 90% of cattle production in Indonesia is developed by smallholder farmers.The paper aims to review and recommend a model for smallholder cattle development in Indonesia.The paper collected data from literature review and assess the trajectory of cattle development in Indonesia, focusing on recent national programs to increase the cattle population and how it evolved.The vast majority of cattle production is operated by smallholder farmers characterized by traditional practices and, heavily relying on nature as a feed source, have limited cattle production/productivity. Delivered cattle development programs have had little impact on increasing the cattle population and narrowing the domestic beef market demand gap.Efforts to increase small-scale livestock farming will narrow the supply-demand gap in the beef market and improve farmers' livelihoods.The paper highlighted that despite the implementation of national programs, the heterogeneous agroecological, socio-economic, and cultural conditions across regions should be considered in cattle development programs to achieve sustainable outcomes.Based on previous research for development initiatives, this recommendation is formulated into different models according to the cattle farming systems.Implication of these varying model is that development programs need to consider local conditions and no one-size-fits-all approach.

The management of natural resources based on socio-economic and ecology development has led to a focus on the bioeconomy in the policy discourse of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Honey is an important NTFP with high socio-economic value, and its production involves millions of Indonesians. This article reviews the current status of honey-producing bee management, cultivation and harvesting system, marketing and socio-economic values, and the industry’s environmental function in Indonesia. This research utilized a meta-narrative review method to collect data and information from Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, ResearchGate, Sinta, and Garuda. The study showed that the four bee species, namely Apis mellifera, Apis cerana, Apis dorsata, and stingless bee, are the most common species in honey production in Indonesia. The four species have specific characteristics based on habitat, production capacity, derivative products, management intervention to meet honey product standards, and sustainable livelihoods. The value chain of bees’ major products, such as honey, propolis, pollen, royal jelly, wax, and other derivative products, involves the distribution of honey to all involved communities, including beekeepers, honey gatherers/hunters, intermediate traders, and the processing industry. This study also found a significant association between environmental sustainability statutes that affects functional sustainability and economic function. The finding parallels the global trends that put forward a forest-based bioeconomy approach to forest resource management. The policy must be strengthened in managing relationships among supporting actors for sustainable honey production.

This study focuses on land cover and land management changes in relation to food security and environmental services in a semi-arid area of East Nusa Tenggara (ENT), Indonesia. The study was conducted in the Central Sumba District of ENT province. A classification and regression tree (CART) for land cover classification was analyzed using machine learning techniques through the implementation of the Google Earth Engine. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) survey followed by in-depth interviews was conducted for primary data collection, involving a total of 871 respondents. The socio-economic data were statistically analyzed descriptively using non-parametric tests. The study showed that (1) there has been a substantial change in land use during the devolution era that has both positive and negative implications for food security and environmental services; (2) there has been population pressure in fertile and agricultural land as a direct impact of the development of city infrastructure; and (3) national intervention through the Food Estate program has fostered and shaped land use change and land management in the Central Sumba District. The study highlights the importance of the devolution spirit in aiding the management of limited arable/agricultural land in predominantly semi-arid areas to ensure food security and environmental services.

Black soils store a high amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) and play a crucial role in climate change, food security, and land degradation neutrality. However, data and information regarding black soils in tropical regions, including Indonesia, are limited. This study aimed to characterize and identify the utilization of black soils in Indonesia based on legacy soil survey data. We collated 142 soil pedon samples of Mollisols from articles, technical reports, and existing datasets. The site information (site position, elevation, land use type, parent material) and selected physicochemical properties were stored in a spreadsheet, from which exploratory data analysis was conducted. The result showed that the median SOC content was 1.53%, ranging from 0.6 to 8.2 %; cation exchange capacity was 30 cmol kg-1, ranging from 9 to 95 cmol kg-1; base saturation was 87%, ranging from 11 to 100 %; and bulk density was 1.21 g cm-3, ranging from 1.13 to 1.36 g cm-3. Other soil characteristics (particle size distribution, exchangeable bases, pH, pore, and water retention) varied with horizon type and land use/land cover. The black soils have been used for paddy fields, dryland farming, and gardens with low management intensity. Main cultivated crops include rice (Oryza sativa), corn (Zea mays), cassava (Manihot esculenta), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), coconut (Cocos nucifera), and cocoa (Theobroma cocoa). Threats to black soil functions include soil erosion, carbon loss, and nutrient imbalance. Soil and water conservation measures, integrated soil nutrient management, and agroforestry are among the best land management practices for black soils.

Program Tanam Jagung Panen Sapi (TJPS) di Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) bertujuan mendongkrak ekonomi petani melalui integrasi jagung-ternak. Penelitian ini mengukur penyediaan bahan baku pakan, serta estimasi daya dukung pakan bagi pengembangan ternak sapi, babi, dan ayam pada priode tanam jagung 2019-2021. Metode yang digunakan adalah Kaji Tindak. Lokasi penelitian di semua kelompok tani (n=1.867) penerima program TJPS. Pengukuran produksi biomasa jagung dilakukan saat panen memakai teknik ubinan (2,5×2,5 m). Seluruh biomasa dipanen, dipisahkan biji dari limbah (biji, klobot, tongkol, daun, batang) lalu ditimbang. Sampel setiap komponen diambil, selanjutnya semua sampel digabung sesuai komponen tanaman. Sub-sampel diambil dan diproses untuk analisis kandungan nutrisi. Variabel yang diukur adalah produksi biomasa, persentase komponen tanaman, produktivitas, dan kandungan nutrisi. Kontribusi penyediaan bahan baku, produksi pakan komplit, dan ternak dikalkulasi dari produksi biomasa. Analisis data memakai statistik deskriptif. Hasil memperlihatkan bahwa total produksi biomasa jagung selama 3 tahun adalah 193.008,87 ton bahan kering dari 22.310,5 ha lahan. Proporsi biji sebesar 46,59% dan 53,63% limbah. Potensi pakan sebesar 386.017,7 ton. Estimasi jumlah ternak yang dapat pelihara per tahun adalah 197.367 babi, atau 49.341.896 ayam, dan 94.027 sapi. Disimpulkan bahwa Program TJPS mampu menyediakan biomasa bahan baku cukup besar untuk produksi pakan ternak di NTT. Kata kunci: jagung, limbah pangan, pakan, ternak

An experiment was conducted to measure forage production of Leucaena leucocephala cv Tarramba planted in a multiple rows of live fencing model.Plants were arranged in 8 rows which planted 2 meters from the main live fence of 1ha land.The plants were cut at of 1m height and then again at +30cm from the ground level.Measurement of forage production was conducted to observe its ability in providing forage.Areas of 8x20 m on each of the 4 land sides (replications) were allocated for the measurements.Half of the observation plot (8x10m) was allocated for 2 months cutting interval and the other half (8x10m) were allocated for 4 months cutting interval.Measurements conducted were on fresh and dry matter of edible parts (leaf and stem skin), plant height, stem diameter and number of branches.The results showed that each plant produced in average of 8 to 11 branches at 2 months interval, while the 4 months interval produced 2 to 4 branches only.Plant heights and diameters were 150-280 cm and 0.6-2.5 cm on the 2 months cutting interval, and from 465-560 cm and 2.6-3.4 cm on the 4 months cutting interval.At 2 months interval, two harvests produced a total edible DM of 4 ton.While the 4 months interval obtained 1 harvest with 3.6 tons DM per harvest, able to support about 4-5 heads of Bali cattle for fattening during the 4 months.Thus, during the wet season the 2 months cutting interval is recommended.

Risk and uncertainty in grain crop production are common in marginal semi-arid environments, such as East Nusa Tenggara province. Growing root and tuber crops in a mixed-cropping system is one of the strategies developed by smallholder farmers to substitute food grains and minimize risk. Nevertheless, root and tuber crops are not prioritized for food production systems since food crops in Indonesia are based more on grain and wetland rice production systems. This paper reviews cassava crops, which are widely cultivated by smallholder farmers. This paper contributes to understanding the roles of cassava for smallholder farmers, the diversity of the cassava germ plasm, the progress made to increase cassava productivity, and the potency of cassava crops to improve farmers' incomes. This paper highlights that, in the low and erratic rainfall of dominant semi-arid regions, the development of cassava is pivotal to secure the harvest of food crops or food availability and income generation for marginal farmers.

Timor Island is part of the East Nusa Tenggara province in Southeast Indonesia.This island is one of several large islands in East Nusa Tenggara which is climatologically included in the semi-arid area.The agroecological conditions have formed a specific dry climate dry land farming system.This study has been carried out to get an idea of the farming type within the scope of the farming system in Timor Island.This study used a survey method by collecting data and information on 370 farmers as respondents as randomly selected and assisted by a list of prepared questions.The data and information were covered the following aspects: (i).farmer characteristics; (ii).type of farming and orientation; (iv).commodity types and cropping pattern (v).planting patterns and cropping calendars, and (vi).farm management.Furthermore, all the data and information were tabulated and analyzed descriptively.It was concluded that most types of farming in East Nusa Tenggara are mixed farming, where this type of farming cultivates several commodities including livestock in one or several farming locations.This type of farming is part of an adaptation strategy to the agroecological environment in a semi-arid area by local farmers.At this stage, the farming orientation has shifted from previously being subsistence to a slight change towards commercial orientation.However, the farm performance was still classified as unproductive.This farming hasfaced with some challenges, namely the limited productive workforce, very simple cultivation management and not supported by cultivation technology/innovation, and the lack of available capital.There are no visible signs of an Integrated Farming System (IFS), even though IFS components are available for use.

This paper’s working hypothesis is that the indigenous farming practices of Timorese farmers are those most suitable and adaptable with regard to these farmers’ circumstances. Intensive farming and the acceleration of land conversion in Java lead to a reduction in favorable cropland and the degradation of soil biology. To meet the demand for food production, unfavorable areas outside Java, including marginal semi-arid areas on Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara province, have become an important option. Unfortunately, the national crop production policy has paid less attention to the specific biophysical characteristics of the region and how local people have adapted to the diverse marginal environment. We review the literature in the areas of soil nutrition retention and soil biology, vegetation/crop diversity, and farming practices/management, including local wisdom on soil management. This paper highlights that the values of the chemical parameters of the soils in question are varied, but generally range from low to high. The existence of beneficial micro-organisms is important both for improving soil fertility and due to their association with local vegetation/crops. Traditional farming practices, such as the local agroforestry of Mamar, have effectively preserved the existence of micro-organisms that promote conservation practices, crop/vegetation diversity, and sustainable agriculture. We recommend that the expansion of croplands and crop production into marginal semi-arid areas needs to be considered and adapted while taking into consideration sustainability and environmentally sound traditional practices.

Maize constitute dominant food crop in upland semi-arid region of East Nusa Tenggara (ENT) and as a main staple for majority of rural farmers. This paper examines Provincial Government programs to increase maize production and to reform maize production orientation. Data and information being used from the recent program: “Maize Planting, Cattle Harvest (MPCH)”. The survey was conducted in all villages in Districts of Timor and Sumba Island as pilot project. The study showed that: 1). Maize farmers keen to change production orientation from subsistence to semi and fully commercial as long as there are surplus production and better access to the market, 2). Average maize productivity of farmers under program (5 – 8 ton/ha) higher than traditional practices (1 – 2 ton/ha), 3). Most farmers under the program have access to have own cattle 1- 2 head/household from surplus production of maize sold with contract price IDR 3,200/kg. This result implies that incorporated farmer into the market from the beginning of the program, technical assistance to apply appropriate innovations, organized farmers groups to enhance business scale and government support to minimize production cost lead farmers to adopt new innovation, increase maize production and change maize production orientation (commercial).

The research was conducted in Manggarai District, East Nusa Tenggara Province with the research objectives were to describe (i) existing farming system performance, (ii) planting calender, cropping pattern, and harvesting calender, and (iii) farmer’s strategies to manage their farm and income. The district has two agroecosystems, there are dry land and wet climate high land, and dry land and climate and low land. Data was collected from 12 subdistrict in Manggarai district, by using Focus Group Discussion and observation method. The research results showed that farmer’s strategyies were (a) growing multy commodities, so agricultural gumption and income distributed along the year, (b) in certain months were household income was supported by several commodities, but in other months were supported by only one commodity even there is no income. In high land zone, there is a range of time that is supported by several commodities, and in the low land zone, there are two supports from several commodities. In the two zones, there are several months with low income, so it is needed to find the other activity such as off farm and nonfarm to get income. The various farming activities which is running by farmers have aims to distribute risks, food security and also maintain agriculture product stability.

Mungbean is one of the major food legume and cash crops grown and consumed by small holder farmers under rain-fed conditions in Eastern Indonesia. However, the mungbean productivity has been low, less than 1 ton ha−1 due to a number of reasons including poor awareness about new varieties and skills of crop management. Two trials: varietal trial and management practices were conducted at Malaka District, East Nusa Tenggara during wet season 2008. The varietal trial in six sites resulted in identification of Sriti, Murai, Betet, and Vima 1 varieties had high productivity (1.1-1.5 t ha−1) with single harvest, shorter maturity, compared to the local varieties which were characterized by lower productivity (1.0-1.1 t ha−1), multiple harvests and longer maturity. The management practices found that selected varieties in combination with improved technology gave doubled seed yields compared to the yields when grown using local technology. These activities showed a reliable pathway to increase productivity of mungbean at small holder levels. The varietal and agronomic management trials demonstrated the impact of the technologies on mungbean productivity at small holder levels and identified future needs to sustain food productivity in remote regions on Eastern Indonesia.

There have not been sufficient studies on Sen cropping patterns, a system of planting several food crops in one planting hole. A study to examine the effectiveness of minimum tillage on the Sen cropping pattern, concerning the soil quality improvements and their effects on crop productivity, was conducted on a field plot. The tillage treatment consisted of minimum planting with planting hole sizes of 20x20x20 cm, 30x30x20 cm and 40x40x20 cm, including one control planting hole. A total of 36 planting holes were tested. Improvement of soil physical-chemical properties was measured by comparing the measurements results at initial soil conditions and at 14 days after planting. The results showed that the 20x20x20 cm hole treatment was able to improve the physical-chemical quality of the soil with the best value compared to other treatments. The optimum improvement of soil quality to increase plant productivity was achieved at 40x40x20 cm hole treatment.

Plasmanutfah padi gogo lokal NTT sudah pernah dikoleksi dan dievaluasi sebanyak 97 aksesi oleh tim peneliti Balai Besar Biogen Bogor pada tahun 1997 yang berhasil mengkoleksi 97 aksesi dari 19 kabupaten di NTT dan dilanjutkan dengan kegiatan koleksi dan karakterisasi oleh Pengkajian Teknologi (BPTP) NTT yang telah mengkoleksi 61 aksesi tanaman padi gogo lokal NTT dari 11 kabupaten di NTT. Kabupaten Sumba Barat Daya adalah salah satu wilayah yang memiliki aksesi padi gogo yang terbanyak yaitu sebanyak 20 aksesi karena itu telah dilakukan karakteristik 20 aksesi dari Kabupaten Sumba Barat Daya dengan menggunakan descriptor Standard Evaliation Sysrem (SES) IRRI 1996. Dari hasil karakterisasi ini disimpulkan bahwa terdapat variasi karakteristik agronomi dan fenotip yang sangat besar antar aksesi padi gogo lokal tersebut dan Karakter yang paling menunjukkan keragaman antar aksesi adalah bentuk permukaan daun, sudut daun bendera, warna pelepah daun, warna gabah, warna kulit arid an peoduktivitas padi. Berdasarkan kemiripan karakteristik yang dievaluasi, terdapat empat kelompok padi local Sumba Barat Daya. Karena itu menejemen pengelolaan plasmanutfah padi local di NTT maupun di tingkat nasional perlu dirancang dan dilaksanakan dengan bijaksana sehingga keragaman padi gogo local yang ada dapat dipertahankan sebagai kekayaan untuk keperluan pembentukan varietas unggul di masa depan.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a crop that is susceptible to salinity conditions. Disruption salinity on rice growth, impact on grain yield reduction. This susceptible started the seedling phase to the reproductive phase. A study on \Contribution of compatible solute of halophyte leaf extract as anti-salinity in physiological amendment to rice (Oryza sativa L.)� has been conducted. The aims of this study to : (1). explore halophyte species which synthesize glycine betaine and proline in high quantities are then leaves extracted as the material the anti-salinity