multipurpose tree species research for small farms: strategies ... - part

The field trip, organized by the Forest Research
and Development Centre at Bogor, was scheduled
to productively utilize every minute of the day, with
five stops planned to see agroforestry systems and
the indus!ry that has evolved around Paraserianthes
falcataria in the Sukabumi District of West Java.
After leaving Jakarta at 6:30 am, the early risers
were rewarded with beautiful scenic views of
volcanoes in the distance and agroforestry systems
all along the highway.
The tour visited sites varying in altitude 4 0 from
0-900m, with slopes of 30-50% which receive up
to 4,761mm of rain annually. Scheduled stops
included a small farm of 2ha ,rowing P.falcataria
at the top of a hill terraced with rice paddies; a
small-scale local sawmill producing pallets; a
sawmill where boxes were being manufactured to
transport money for the banking industry; and a
plantation of tung oil or candlcnut (A!curites
moiuccana) interplanted with citronella grass
(Cyinbopogon nardus) where terrace construction
in progress, nursery operations, and fields of tea
were cottage observed
industries with
that
great
manufacture
interest. Small-scale
carved
furniture were selling their puctr e owns
and villages. At act siteir prducts in the
by
towns
ofillages. Athe Idsi were o warmly greeted
by officials of the Indonesian Forest Service
Along the roads and highway, interesting
examples of agroforcstry practices were evident in
the celebratcdJavan homegardens with fish ponds
in
terraces
front of most
were
of the
bordered
houses. Rice
by a
paddies
lush variety
and
multipurpose trees and crops.
of
The field trip was a lesson in itself re arding
the importance of the agricultural sector in the
economy of the Sukabumi District of the Province
Conference Field Trip
211
of West Java. Forty-nine percent of Sukabumi's
population are farmers. Fortunately, the area
has been favored with rich volcanic soils and an
abundance of rainfall. Agroforcstry is the
predominant cropping system comoining P.
falcataria, Afaesopsis cminii, durian (Durio
zibethinus), langsat (Lansium domnesicun),
jackfruit (Aryocarpus heterophylla),bananas, rice
and a variety of other fruits and vegetables.
Cassava (Alanihot esculenta) is intercropped
in stands of P.falcataria during the first year
after planting. The stands are harvested after
5-7 years andcoppice well for 3 rotations. The
average price pai per tree on-site is Rp
3,000-4,000, (US$1 = Rpl,788). The average
annual income per farm household in Sukabumi
is Rp 74,00)0-124,000. Tree farming with P.
falcataria thus represents a significant
proportion of the farm family's annual income,
with timber sales providing from 28-47% of the
total.
Raising P falcaaria and several related
wood-processing
Ri sing
cottage
cttar i
industries
nd s e arela
are major
jor
local employers, as there is a signilicant market
for the timber and processed
Important
products.
economic
small-scale
activities
sawmills, box and
iucludc
crate production,
and the manufacture of carved furniture.
The trip was a delightful experience and the
conference participants
warm,
will
genuine
long remember
hospitality
the
Forest Research and
extended
Development
to us
Centre,
by the
the
Agency for Forest Research and Development,
the Indonesian Forest Service, the Ministry of
Forestry, and the people of West Java.
Indonesia.