Contribution of Cattle Production to Livelihood of Smallholders Living Around Teak Forest in Bojonegoro, East Java

Abstract

Beef cattle are important in Indonesia whereas the highest population of cattle is in East Java. The majority of cattle is kept by smallholders and some of smallholders living near to the teak forest. The existence of teak forest may provide potential income for smallholders, and drive their livelihood strategies. However, it is not known yet how much cattle production contributes to smallholder livelihoods, especially for smallholders living close to teak forests. The present study had the objective to assest contribution of cattle production to the livelihood of smallholders living near to teak forests. We interviewed 33 and 27 respondents (smallholder farmers with beef cattle as one of the farm activities) in Napis and Windu hamlets, respectively, of Napis village, Bojonegoro Regency, East Java. Cattle production contributed for 19.8% to the total household income and was the second most important income generating activity after crop production (48.5%). It was followed by income from non-farm activities (14.2%), forest (10%), off-farm activities (5.4%) and other livestock (2.1%). Since limited number of livelihood strategies to increase income in the study areas, keeping cattle is suggested as a potential livelihood strategy for smallholders to elevate their household income and welfare.