Conservation farming on steep lands - USAid

WATEPSHED MANAGEMENT IN JAVA'S UPLANDS 263
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r~eed to avoid the risks of monocultures. The prices of niany tree crops,
such as coffse. histarically have fluctuated from year to year, bringing hardship
to farmers who rely too heavily on one commodity for income. There
is also a need to reappraise the economic policies that act as constraints
to small-sszle conlmercial production of tree crops. Price supports, the
lack of credit, and othcr policies seem to act as disincentives for Fdrniers.
Overcorrtirtg irtstitz~tiortal constmirtts. Among the greatest challenges we
1 Lice are the many institutional constraints to cooperative research and
developme~~t in ths liplands. The problems of upland conservation cut across
sectors and involve inherent conflicts between the gorls of different government
institutions. It is becoming evident that <strong>farming</strong> systems research must
take active measures to overcome these constraints rather than just passively
observe them. The technical expertise in Indonesia is difficult to draw from
because of historical rivalries bctween different disciplines, most notably
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agriculture and forestry. The exchange of information between universities
and govertiment research programs is also weak. We are actively exploring
mechanisrns to overcome this problem by concentrating on cooperative
efforts in the field and technical workshops.
A similar difficulty arises with interaction between researchers and e,.
tension agents. The research component of UACP is managed by the Agen~y
for Agricultural Research and Development, a line agency. Extension efforts
are administered by provincial and district governments. By physically
locating research sites adjacent to model farms (or even on them), as well
as by organizing joint training programs for junior staff, we hope to break
down some of the traditional barriers of communication between research
and extension.
Summary
Most of Java's watersheds are in a critical state. Immediate actions have
to bc t;i';eri 'O prevent more losses due to severe sedimentation of rivers
ad ic.icivoirs and consequent reduction of water supply for rice and electric
power, flood damage, and drought hazard. Surface soil erosion reduces
suil fertility and land productivity, which, in turn, incites upland farmers
to further open virgin land for food cultivation, fuelwood, grazing, and
so forth. Most importantly, negligence of upland farmers who are poorer
than farmers staying in lo1.vlands with better living facilities may increase
social and security problems.
Previous approaches used to improve watershed management and utilization
(reforestation and regreening) were unsuccessful. Through better un-