ROLE OF WOMEN IN SUSTAINABLE AGROFORESTRY

Abstract

As the third largest forest owner in the world, farm activities in the forest land (known as agroforestry) may found in any forest land in Indonesia. Especially when we look at the history of forest management since the days of pre-colonial, colonial, and independence. The need of agricultural land is also one factor that increasing loss of forest land. At the meanwhile issues on forest and agricultural services for the whole ecosystem are become more important. The dynamic process in forest and agriculture management can also be seen in community involvement in the management, both men and women. Women, “the guard of mother nature”, are able to perform forest management with agricultural activities in it. Maintenance ecosystem function and food needs of mankind is resolved. Women of just a middleman or even just the role of ‘cheerleaders’ in the distribution of timber forest products in Pelluso (1992), become key players in the forest management and other activities (agriculture) in it. Study in Soreang (2008) and Clanjur (2012-2014), present the evidence. How women, after the ‘missing’ of their male partner, are able to maintain forest. Not just to maintain the ecological functions, but also the social, economic, and cultural function of forest. These are also the picture of sustainable practice of agroforestry conducted by women.