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

used the participant observation method. This
method involves an in-depth study of the village, It
relied on a variety of methods to gather data
including participation and -observation of events
when they occur, the use of knowledgeable local
informants, discussion and informal interviewing
(Bulmer 1983).
Using this method, suspicion about the motives
of the researcher was minimized as the fie'dwork in
Pelawan lasted three and a half months, long
enough to establish good rapport with the villagers,
During the fieldwork, the author participated in
the daily activities of the villagers, ranging from
farm work, preparing for religicus ceremonies,
writing letters for illiterate villagers to tutoring
students. After gaining their general acceptance,
the participant observation method worked out
well In addition to data collected by informal
discussion interviews and recording of important
events, an informal survey was conducted on the
socioeconomic profile of 41 households. All the
data were cross-checked with knowledgeable local
informants,
By this method, insights into the villagers'
socioeconomic profile, their problems and needs
were revealed. The following is a summary of the
problems and issues of the rural farmers in the
New Village:
- two-thirds of the total households own
agricultural land under oil palm or rubber
cultivation. The total land area is small.
Among land owning households, 90% own
three acres or less;
- 94% of the economically active labor force is
engaged in agricultural activities;
- of the total labor force, only 4% are
unemployed (the unemployment rate islower
than the national level of 7.6% in 1985);
- of the total labor force, 37% are selfemployed,
39% are unpaid family workers, and
20% work for others;
- 71% of the total unpaid family workers are
women engaging in agricultural activities (the
role of women isthus very important in
generating income in the agricultural sector);
- of the total households, 20% farmed on
rented lanl under a maximum lease period of
two years;
- 54% and 22% of the total households practiced
illegal farming on mine-concession land and state
34
forest reserves, 3 respectively (this source of
employment isnot secure in the long run);
- of the total household income, about 40%
isderived from cultivation of rented land,
mine-concession land and state forest
reserves (these sources of income are
insecure in the long run);
- the average monthly gross household
income isR$746 or US$298. This is lower
than R$1,095 (US$438) per month for all 4
households in Peninsular Malaysia in 1984;
and
- the incidence of poverty was 5%(this is
lower than the 18% for Peninsular Malaysia
in 1984).
From the above findings, it is obvious that
data collected using the participant observation
method are more reiiable than the previous two
surveys conducted in the same village. In the
participant observation method, information
was gathered only after the villagers had
accepted the researcher and were willing to
reveal their actual socioeconomic situation.
With close rapport between the researcher and
the rural farmers, important information on
illegal farming on the mine concessions and
forest reserves was obtained. This had not been
disclosed to the interviewers in the two previous
surveys.
Implications for MPTS Projects
Although the author's study did not directly
relate to MPTS planting in the rural community,
findings from the participant observation
method provide some pointers. The situation
found in this village can be extrapolated to other
agricultural rural villages which are similar in
terms of land use.
The planting of trees for multiple uses is not
new to the villagers. Rubber trees and oil palms
are planted on farmer-owned land. The
products are sold as a cash crop while the
branches or leaves are used as fuelwood and
fencing materials.
For rural farqiers in Malaysia and other
countries, the term MPTS may be new but
planting trees for multiple uses is not
(Sastrapradja 1989). Rural residents have been
planting fruit trees such as banana (Musa spp.),
cempedak (Artocarpusspp.), duku and langsat
(Lansiutn spp.), durian (Durozibethinus),