Application of Eucalyptus Agroforestry to reduce poverty in rural areas in Jember Regency, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

State forest management on the island of Java is monopolized by Perhutani Public Company as a state company with the community through a social forestry partnership. Various agroforestry patterns are applied to utilize forest land and gain benefits. The application of eucalyptus agroforestry in a village in Jember district, East Java is expected to reduce erosion and poverty problems in rural areas. The application of eucalyptus agroforestry which is a new pattern provides various perspectives for village communities. therefore, this study aims to (1) determine the application of various eucalyptus agroforestry patterns, (2) determine the income level of farmers in various eucalyptus agroforestry patterns and their contribution to household incomes and (3) analyse livelihood strategy of eucalyptus agroforestry farmer. The data analysis method using descriptive and quantitative analysis of eucalyptus agroforestry pattern, farmer’s income and contribution analysis to 36 forest farmers and also livelihood strategy. The research results show: (1) Application of the agroforestry system on social forestry partnership using a simple agroforestry system with eucalyptus agroforestry pattern of trees along border, random mixture, and alternate rows; (2) eucalyptus agroforestry income on land area <0.5ha is Rp. 7.955.013/year, land area 0.5-1ha Rp. 20,777,388/year, and land area >1 ha Rp. 23,853,189/year with the contribution of agroforestry to household income is moderate (between 41% until 61% of forest farmer household income). (3) most livelihood strategy of eucalyptus agroforestry farmer is most (81%) is multiple/diversification work most in agriculture.