Wet Rice Fields Research Articles

Design for Copying Grouser and Bionic Convex Hull Patterns on Track Surfaces of Crawler Combine Harvesters

In the rainy season, which often has uncertain rainfall, crawler combine harvesters have difficulty traversing wet and soft rice fields. A large amount of clay is often accumulated on the track surfaces, resulting in frequent slipping and sinking, which greatly affects the operational performance and harvesting efficiency of crawler combine harvesters. To address this issue, this paper proposes a high-traction track grouser based on the structure of an ostrich’s foot sole. First, a traction force mathematical model is constructed to analyze the interaction between a track grouser and wet and soft rice fields, and parameter optimization is conducted. Then, the bionic information of a dung beetle’s non-smooth body surface is extracted, and the surface of the track is designed with biomimetic convex hull patterns based on the geometric similarity principle and adhesive experiments. Finally, the analysis results indicate that the optimized track grouser significantly improved the traction of the track in wet and soft rice fields. For the track plate with a bionic desorption convex hull pattern, a convex hull diameter of 6 mm, convex hull spacing of 8.25 mm, and convex hull height of 3 mm led to good adhesion reduction and desorption effects in wet and soft soil.

PENINGKATAN HASIL PERTANIAN KELOMPOK WANITA TANI DI DESA LUMBAN TOBING KAB. HUMBANG HASUNDUTAN

The current conditions are that partners still use conventional methods in processing land, namely using hoes and rakes, while the land that must be cultivated is 17,800 m2 – 22,600 m2 / person. If you use manual methods, what happens is that a lot of land cannot be cultivated optimally, so that the productivity of agricultural products is not optimal. The purpose of using a cultivator in tillage is to create a physical condition of the soil that is suitable for plant growth with equipment that works mechanically and on a large scale. Modern agricultural equipment plays a very important role in supporting agricultural operations. Currently, almost all farmers in Indonesia have switched to using machines rather than livestock, such as buffalo and cows, to plow their fields. The reason is, modern rice cultivators can be operated on various agricultural land, ranging from dry (fields) or wet (rice fields). so that the results obtained are increasing partners' skills in using agricultural technology, both in the form of use and maintenance of these tools.Cultivate agricultural land more optimally so that the productivity of agricultural products is maximized. Partners' problems regarding human resources are resolved through the provision of 1 cultivator unit

Beyond Protection, toward Respect: Struggle for Environmental Justice in the Kendeng Mountains

The cement industry is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than international air traffic, it takes up massive amounts of water and energy in the production process and creates highly destructive stone pit mines. The case we are presenting here stands for a complex transnational struggle for environmental justice involving the indigenous Sedelur Sikep community and a subsidiary of the German HeidelbergCement AG linking the Javanese lime stone landscapes of the Kendeng mountains with nodes of decision-making in Jakarta and Germany. The Kendeng mountains on the island of Java are important sites of social and cultural reproduction for the Sedelur Sikep, providing important ecosystem services. The community rejects the market economy and in particular the trading of products they have not produced themselves. Their practices have contributed to the conservation of this biodiversity rich landscapes for centuries. The plans of the HeidelbergCement AG to construct a cement factory raises concerns among the Sedelur Sikep. The group worries that the factory and the stone pit mine alter the hydrological cycle affecting their wet-rice fields and ultimately their lifestyles. Despite protests by Sedelur Sikep and allied conservation and human-rights organizations, the subsidiary of Heidelberg Cement AG hold son to its plans, referring to a completed environmental impact assessment and related permits.Building on the concepts of environmental justice and epistemic justice, we investigate how the Sedelur Sikep, together with conservation and human-rights organizations have (so far) successfully prevented the construction of the cement factory by challenging the procedural aspects of the permit process, stressing their role as indigenous communities and by challenging dominant forms of knowledge production used in environmental impact assessments. We show how successful resistance is organized employing the mainstream nature conservation narrative. We also show that the employment of different knowledge system is part of a strategy, while the groups own understanding of respecting and living with the mountain goes beyond this mainstream narrative.

Budaya Kerapan Kerbau dalam Mempererat Hubungan Sosial Masyarakat dan Mengembangkan Produktivitas Usaha Bisnis Wisata

This study aims to determine the early history of the emergence of buffalo karapan culture in Bree Sapugara Village, Kec. Brang Rea, West Sumbawa Regency and to find out the impact of the buffalo race culture in strengthening social relations in the community, Bree Sagara Village, Kec. Brang Rea, West Sumbawa Regency. The method used is a qualitative method with an ethnographic approach. The data sources in this study were primary data and secondary data sources about the Kerapan Buffalo culture in strengthening community social relations in Bree Sapugara Village, Brang Rea District, West Sumbawa Regency. The results of the study show, a) the early history of the emergence of the Kerapan Buffalo culture in Bree Sapugara Village, Brang Rea District, Sumbawa Regency began during the Dutch colonial era, until now it is still maintained by the people of Sumbawa. The difference between the Dutch colonial era and now lies in the rules of the game at that time did not exist, for those who have large buffaloes and are ready to compete, the speed is what appears, and the arena is even in wet rice fields ready for planting rice, no special arena is made. whereas now the attributes used by the buffalo and the jockeys have paid attention to safety, there are class rules based on the age and the age of the jockeys and spur buffalo are given decorations; b) the cultural impact of buffalo racing in strengthening community social relations in Bree Sapugara Village, Brang Rea District, West Sumbawa Regency, namely as a gathering place, brotherhood, containing a high philosophical meaning for one's social degree or position in the midst of Sumbawa society, a symbol of honor and authority, and efforts to preserve Sumbawa culture, develop tourism as a leading tourism event, business and livestock economy, and people's entertainment.
 Keywords: Kerapan Buffalo Culture, Community Social Relations

Local knowledge of the Sundanese community on traditional foods to enhance the family food security

Sundanese people in rural West Java have a rich the local knowledge on a variety of traditional foods. However, studies on the local knowledge of Sundanese rural communities on the variety of traditional foods are still rare. The objective of this article is to elucidate the local knowledge of Cijambu Village community, Tanjungsari Sub-district, Sumedang District, West Java, on the traditional foods. The method used in this study was qualitative with Gastronomic Ethnobiological approach. It may be defined as the study of the complex interactions between human societies, food, and their environment. The result of study showed that there are at least 26 types of traditional foods that are usually created by the local community of Cijambu Village. The producing of a variety of traditional foods is based on local knowledge of the rural people as a result of inheritance from one generation to another. The basic ingredients for creating a variety of traditional foods are mainly used various plants that are produced from village agroecosystem. At least 39 species of plants representing 21 families are predominantly used to create 26 types of traditional food of Cijambu village community. Almost all of those plants are obtained from the production of various village agroecosystems of Cijambu, including homegarden, upland field, and wet-rice fields. The existence of a variety of traditional foods in rural areas, in addition to maintaining the identity of the village traditional food cultures, is also important to support food security in rural areas.

FARMERS' KNOWLEDGE ON REASONS NOT TO USE RICE STRAW IN PADDY FIELDS (CASE IN MANDIKAPAU BARAT VILLAGE, BANJAR REGENCY, SOUTH KALIMANTAN)

This study aims to determine the reasons for not using rice straw in the rice field landscape of Mandikapau Barat Village, Banjar Regency. Landscape ecology data extracted from Google Maps. Types, rice production, farmer profiles, and knowledge of rice straw utilization were identified through interviews. The relationship between profile and reasons for not using rice straw was determined by bivariate analysis. Results showed that fragments’ shape is generally elongated (70%) and others hexagonal (30%). The corridor in dry rice fields is 40-50 cm narrow, while in wet rice fields, the embankment width is about 60-80 cm. The average ownership of rainfed rice fields was about ±3,917.6 m2. From nine rice field fragments observed, the average area was ±14,788.4 m2. The most widely grown local rice varieties are Siam Pandak Laut and Siam Cantik. The local rice production rate reached ±2.6 Ton Ha-1, while rice straw production was ±3.6 Ton Ha-1. Most respondents are women (76%), smallholders (80%), and aged 40-50 years (48%). Most respondents (84%) stated rice straw could not be used and had been passed down from generation to generation (64%). There was a relationship between gender and knowledge of straw utilization (p=0.036<0.050) and reasons for not using rice straw (p=0.021<0.050).

THE DISOURSE OF GLORIFYING WATER IN THE BALINESE SCRIPTUAL TRADITION TO SUPPORT THE AGRICUTURAL CULTURE AS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF “NANGUN SAD KRTI LOKA BALI”

This current study is intended to investigate the importance of glorifying water especially in agriculture as explicitly mentioned in the Balinese traditional texts. The data used in the study is the qualitative data obtained using the library research method and the observation, translating, and note-taking techniques. The data was analyzed using the descriptive-analytic method and the inductive technique. The data analysis is presented using the informal method and the narrative technique. The results of analysis show that the glorification of water, as one of the important components of the farming life in Bali, has been explicitly mentioned in the traditional texts. The sustainability and cleanliness of water, as an important component of the life of the living creatures on earth should be maintained. To this end, it is firmly mentioned in the texts of Manawa Dharma?astra, Canakya Nitisastra, Artha ??stra, dan ?arasamuccaya that it is important to make every attempt to maintain the sustainability of water to allow life to last forever. The objective fact in the field shows that the quality of the water used for irrigating the wet rice fields is inadequate as it has been polluted by different types of wastes.
 Keywords: water, irrigation, strong ideology, polluted

Plants diversity and socioecological functions of homegarden in Sundanese rural area: A case in Sumedang District, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Suwartapradja OS, Iskandar J, Iskandar BS, Mulyanto D, Suroso, Nurjaman D, Nisyapuri FF. 2023. Plants diversity and socioecological functions of homegarden in Sundanese rural area: a case in Sumedang district, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 156-175. Homegarden is one of the traditional agroforestry systems in Indonesia, which is traditionally planted with various annual and perennial plants. It has provided social, economic, cultural, and ecological functions. The objective of this study is to elucidate the vegetation structure and function of the homegarden system of two groups of rural communities who are affected by the development project of Jatigede Dam, Sumedang, West Java. The first community group of residents who lost their village, their homegarden, and another agricultural land due to the Jatigede dam and settled in new resettlement provided by the local government in Cihegar Mekar Hamlet. The second community group, residents living in the neighboring Kampung Cihegar Mekar, whose settlements and homegarden were not inundated by the Jatigede Dam, but the Jatigede Dam inundated their agricultural lands. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used with an ethnobotanical approach. The results showed that the diversity of species of the homegarden of Cihegar Mekar and Ciboboko Hamlets affected by the Jatigede dam project was high. In Cihegar Hamlet, the number of species, genera, and family in 2018 and 2022 was recorded at 63 and 155, 58 and 130, and 39 and 59, respectively. While in Ciboboko, Hamlet in 2018 and 2022 recorded the number of species, genera, and family at 81 and 144, 76 and 114, and 44 and 55, respectively. These variables have significantly increased in the past 4 years (2018-2022). The residents are intensifying the cultivation of their homegarden because other agricultural land types, such as wet-rice fields, have been dramatically reduced or even lost due to inundation by the Jatigede dam. The 224 plant species found in the homegarden consist of 127 (56.70%), 30 (13.39%), 27 (12.05%), and 13 (5.80%) ornamental, fruit, vegetable, and spice species. At least 20 species and varieties (landraces) of the homegarden have been considered to fulfill the daily household need, and some surpluses are sold to obtain household income. So, the high diversity of plant species in the village homegarden has essential functions to support food security and the population well-being of those affected people of the development project of Jatigede Dam. Homegardens appear to be an important strategy for attaining the rural development program and can be accomplished with proper planning.

Kajian Ekologi Lanskap Sawah dan Pilihan Praktik Pengelolaan Jerami Padi di Desa Mandikapau Barat, Kabupaten Banjar, Kalimantan Selatan

This study purpose was to explore information on the rice field landscape ecology and rice straw management practices in Mandikapau Barat Village, Karang Intan District, Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan. The rice field landscape ecological data was extracted from Google Maps. Types, rice production, farmer profiles and selection of rice straw utilization practices were known through interviews. Results showed that elongated fragments (70%) were common in paddy fields and the rest (30%) were hexagonal in shape. Corridors in dry rice fields are bunds with a width of 40-50 cm, while in wet rice fields the bunds are wider (60-80 cm). Farmer average ownership is ±3.917.6 m2. The most widely grown local rice varieties are Siam Pandak Laut (straw yellow lemma and palea, stem height ±145 cm) and Siam Cantik (golden yellow lemma and palea on straw yellow background, stem height ±160 cm). The level of local rice production reaches 1.5 – 3.1 Ton/Ha per growing season. Estimated production of rice straw is 2.1 – 4.4 Ton/Ha. Gender farmers are mostly women (76%), compared to only about 24% of men. The status of land ownership is smallholder farmers as much as 80%. The highest respondent's age (48%) is 40-50 years old and the least is over 50 years old (24%). Most of the farmers (84%) stated that they did not use rice straw, arguing that the practice had been passed down (64%). There is a relationship between gender and the practice of using straw (p=0.036<0.050) and reasons for not using rice straw (p=0.021<0.050).

First survey on seroprevalence of Japanese encephalitis in long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Bali, Indonesia.

Background and Aim:Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a zoonotic infectious inflammatory brain disease caused by the JE virus (JEV). Considerable research into the seroprevalence of JE in domestic animals has been conducted, but there have been no reports of its occurrence in wild animals, including long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of JEV infection and its determinants in long-tailed macaques in Bali and the prevalence of mosquito vectors.Materials and Methods:Blood samples (3 mL) were collected from a population of M. fascicularis (92 heads) inhabiting a small forest with irrigated rice field nearby (wetland area) in Ubud, Gianyar, and from two populations in dryland areas with no wet rice field (Uluwatu, Badung, and Nusa Penida, Bali Province, Indonesia). The collected sera were tested for antibodies against JEV using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (qualitative monkey JE Immunoglobulin G antibody kit). The seropositivity of the antibodies was then compared based on different variables, namely, habitat type, age, and sex.Results:The seroprevalence of the JEV antibodies in all the samples tested was found to be 41.3%. The seropositivity of the monkey serum samples collected from the wetland area was 46.4%, which was higher than the seropositivity of the sera samples collected from the dried field areas (1.25%). Monkey sera collected from the wetland areas were 6.1 times (odds ratio [OR]: 6.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71-51.5, p>0.05) more likely to be seropositive compared to the monkey sera collected from the dried field areas. Meanwhile, female monkeys were 1.79 times (OR: 1.79; 95% CI: 0.76-4.21; p>0.05) more likely to be seropositive to JEV than males. Similarly, juvenile monkeys were 2.38 times (OR: 2.38; 95% CI: 0.98-5.79); p>0.05) more likely to be seropositive against the JEV than adult monkeys. However, none of these differences achieved statistical significance. Regarding the JEV mosquito vector collection, more Culex mosquitoes were found in the samples from the wetland areas than from the dried field areas.Conclusion:The study confirms the existence of JEV infection in long-tailed macaques in Bali. There were patterned seropositivity differences based on habitat, age, and sex of the monkeys, but these were not significant. The possibility of monkeys as a JEV reservoir and the presence of the mosquitoes as the JEV vector are suggested but require more study to confirm.

Inspired by Harold Conklin

Harold C. Conklin (1926-2016) is without doubt one of the key figures in ethnobotany and environmental anthropology. His work is admired for, among other qualities, its precision and its level of « fine description ». In particular, his pioneering studies on shifting cultivation have changed the general perspective on this way of land use. His Ethnographic Atlas of Ifugao (1980) is still a landmark of ethnographic fieldwork, combining a wide range of methods, including sophisticated cartography. The focus of this atlas was on the culture of Ifugao farmers in their home area in the Cordillera Mountains on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. In recent decades, thousands of Ifugao farmers have left their home area and migrated eastwards to the Sierra Madre Mountains in the northeastern part of Luzon, across Cagayan Valley. They have done so for various reasons but land shortage is certainly one of them. In the foothills of the Sierra Madre, accessible arable land became available after large-scale commercial logging operations. In this article we will draw attention to the relevance of Conklin’s work before describing how the Ifugao farmers, with their extensive knowledge and experience, have been able to turn this new area into a highly productive environment, combining wet rice fields with upland agriculture. The research is based on fieldwork that was done over several years with Filipino, Dutch and other international students in the context of a long-standing cooperation project between Isabela State University in the Philippines and Leiden University (Netherlands).

Agronomic Response of Local Upland Rice Cultivars on Growing under Two Cultivation Systems

Background: This study aimed to observe the agronomic response of 18 Southeast Sulawesi local upland rice cultivars that were grown under two cultivation systems (dry land and wet rice field) and optimize local potential to support self-sufficiency and food security. Methods: The research used a split-plot design with the following main plot: cultivation system (L) including upland (L1) and rice field cultivation system (L2). The subplots were 18 local upland rice cultivars such as Wangkomina (K1), Wuna Lapodidi (K2), Waburi-buri (K3), Wapantoga (K4), Nggalaru (K5), Wuna Parigi (K6), Bakala (K7), Biu (K8), Ikulaku (K9), Bou (K1), Momea (K11), Daindomoronene (K12), Konkep (K13), Tinangge (K14), Ndoamoito (K15), Uwa (K16), Ndowatu (K17) and Indalibana (K18). Result: The local upland rice responded better to the wetland cultivation system than the upland cultivation system. The local upland rice cultivar Ndowatu showed the highest production potential, which was statistically similar to the Biu, Ikulaku, Momea, Konkep and Uwa cultivars. Ndowatu cultivar showed high production potential (842.80 g.m-2). Thus, this cultivar can be considered suitable for development in the rainfed lowlands to increase the planting index and to support the self-sufficiency and food security of the region.

The environmental Risk Factors Significant to Anopheles Species Vector Mosquito Profusion, P.falciparum, P.vivax Parasite Development, and Malaria Transmission, Using Remote Sensing and Gis: Review Article

The prevalence of spatial distribution and the seasonal variation of malaria epidemics in India have beenmost significantly determined by the environmental variables including climate, landscape, and the manmade factors. The risk factors are acting as decisive factors on the development of Anopheles genusmosquitoes. The landscape environments (slope, altitude, land use / land covers), human settlementsproximity to permanent water bodies of mosquito breeding habitats (lake, pool, streams, rivers, tanks etc),agricultural wet rice cultivation land, land use dynamics, population density, urbanization, increase of manwater resource projects. The coefficient model of climate determinants (rainfall and temperature) with themosquito abundance are highly associated with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) valuederived from multispectral satellite data, and is useful in the assess the ground situation of Anophelinemalaria vector mosquito larval abundance 7 days in advance in the wet irrigation rice fields using remotelysensed data. The result of logistic regression model provides the spatial agreement between the observedand predicted values of larval index within buffer zones 2.5 KM around the trap location in the wetcultivation rice fields much appropriate for Anopheline vector mosquito breeding. However, transmissionof Plasmodium vivax requires a minimum average temperature 15.0°C and transmission by Plasmodiumfalciparum, requires a minimum average temperature of 19.0°C. The P.vivax vector requires 15 to 25 daysto complete the parasite development cycle within the temperature range between 15°C to 20°C, the relativehumidity for both species requires range between 55% to 80% and its life cycle may be completed within 6to 10 days, if the temperature range remains within 25°C to 30°C. Multivariate analysis could be predictedaccurately the relative abundance of malaria vectors breeding habitats suitability and epidemics. The malariacases in the endemic districts and the relative abundance of the malaria vectors are directly controlled by theclimate variables with >85 % accuracy.

Diversity in the relationship between low and upland society in mountainous Southeast Asia

The mountainous areas of mainland Southeast Asia have been an area of interest for researchers for decades. The mountains are located in a region that stretches out to the southern and western parts of China and encompasses different ethnic groups, forming a unique political, historical, social and cultural space. Associate Professor Shinsuke Tomita, Asian Satellite Campuses Institute, Nagoya University, Japan, is exploring the relationship between lowland and upland society in mountainous Southeast Asia, as well as investigating how agricultural productivity can be understood in the context of culture and society. In previous studies, researchers have surmised that interactions between the two societies are one of the key drivers behind the region's formation. An example of this is wet rice farming, which is regarded as the source of political power of the chieftains of the region due to its higher agricultural productivity. As such, researchers have been prompted to better understand the political power derived from wet rice farming and rethink lowland and upland relationships. From a case study in northern Laos, Tomita and the team shed light on relationships that cannot be explained by agricultural productivity. The researchers have also unearthed interesting findings relating to the power of the chieftain, including that the wet rice fields owned by the chieftain are not necessarily larger than other villagers and the power of the chieftain is likely unstable.

An Analysis of Economic Feasibility on The Hybrid Maize Farming of The Bima 20 URI on Several Types of Land in East Nusa Tenggara

Evaluation on feasibility of seed is carried out at the breeding level in Nagekeo Regency during 1 ( one ) year (2015 ) and the result of F1 is evaluated in the agro-ecosystem of wet rice field ( Nagekeo District ), dry land ( Kupang district ) and land of Ahuklean (Malaka district ). The results shows that: a) the average productivity of the F1 Bima 20 URI seeds is 3,200 kg/ha, however, if the price of seed was IDR 27,500/kg, the breeder will get a profit of IDR 20,496,000. b) Corn productivity of the F1 Bima 20 URI which was planted in agro-ecosystem of irrigated wet rice field, dry land and land of ahulean respectively 6.75 tons/ha, 5 tons/ha and 3 ton/ha with a profit of each respectively of IDR 22,220.00 and IDR 15,220,000, IDR 8,850.00; c) The value of R/C ratio of the seed breeder of the F1 Bima URI 20 was of 2.63 and the value of R/C ratio of the hybrid Bima URI 20 in various agroecosystems of 4.65, 3.18 and 2.81. Thus, the seeding and development of the hybrid corn Bima URI 20 in NTT is reasonably to be carried out.

INSTITUTIONAL FARMERS' LAND TO INCREASE FARMER'S PRODUCTION, PRODUCTIVITY AND INCOME

Farm land management institutional in term of consolidation and corporate farming programs are the management of farm land especially wet rice field to fulfill the optimum farm scale that manage by farmer’s group and to get the value for farmers. Research was aimed to develop the farmer’s institutional by land consolidation and corporate farming approach. Survey method was used for research. Dalangan Village, Tawangsari District and Dukuh Village, Mojolaban District were determined for research location by purposive method based on the farm institutional. Simple random sampling was used to get 40 respondents who joined the institutional program and 40 respondents who were not affiliated with land institutions. Data were analyzed by descriptively. The research was held by farmer’s empowerment and assistance at the farmers group to make use of innovation technology. Result of research showed that 28 ha wet rice field was integrated to the program of 4 farmer’s groups. The implementation of program answered the scarcity of land and labor and it can be easily to manage the production factors. The impact of the programs were increasing paddy production, prodoctivity, cost production effiecientcy by IDR 374.643,56/ha,/period increasing the usage of farm equipment, the created of the opportunity for employment, especially for women, to create the seedling and increasing the income of IDR 3.185.241.56/ha/period.

Changes in paddy field management in Sindang Hamlet, Rancakalong Village, Sumedang District, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Hidayat R.A, Partasasmita R, Iskandar J, Gunawan B. 2020. Changes in paddy field management in Sindang Hamlet, Rancakalong Village, Sumedang District, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 98-105. Farmers have traditional ecological knowledge related to the management of their fields, including knowledge of climate, soil types, soil fertility, various plants and animals, plant pests and irrigation. This knowledge is based on customs, beliefs and cosmos. Over time, government policies in agriculture such as the green revolution were implemented with the aim of increasing productivity of rice in wet-rice field farming. This initiated a change in the community's farming system from subsistence farming to commercial farming. Not to mention the existence of climate change that requires people to adapt. This change has an impact on ecological, economic and social aspects which are interesting to study. This study conducted in Sindang Hamlet, Rancakalong Village, Sumedang District, West Java, which is known to have local rice cultivars and still practices rituals related to rice management. This study aims to analyze the changes in paddy management system in Sindang Hamlet due to green revolution and climate change, using qualitative data collection methods such as semi-structured interviews (deep interviews) with competent locals and participatory observations. Result of study showed that presently there are 3 groups of farmers in Sindang Hamlet, farmers who plant only local rice cultivars, farmers who plant only superior rice cultivars, and farmers who plant both local rice and superior rice cultivars in their land. Most farmers in Sindang Hamlet planted local rice but the diversity of local rice has decreased leaving only six cultivars, namely rayot, mesir, omas, torondol, mataram and randa kaya. There are still farmers in Sindang Hamlet who practice traditional farming, but many are starting to use modern tools and synthetic chemicals. The rice field management ritual called ngalaksa is still observed by the community, although there are some changes over time. The changes in rice field management have a negative impact on the local environment, economy and social aspects.

Women's access to resources: Matrilineal kinship, the patriarchal state and social differentiation in Vietnam

ABSTRACTThis paper explores women's perspectives regarding access to resources in a matrilineal ethnic community in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Customary matrilineal entitlements are not completely recognized by the state that is increasingly using force in asserting its ownership over forests and has a different vision regarding land tenure for households. Using predominantly qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews, life histories and observation, this study focuses on the strategies that K’ho women use to derive benefit from key natural resources such as wet rice fields and forest lands. Through the perspectives of three women of different ages, marital status and social background, I show how matrilineal kinship and conjugal relationships play out with respect to women's access to resources, given increasing state governance and control. I use an intersectional approach grounded in Feminist Political Ecology and insights from Ribot and Peluso's theory of access to highlight the interactions between gender, matrilineal structures and other forms of social identities in shaping access to natural resources.

Environmental and Social Change in Northeast Thailand during the Iron Age

The Iron Age of Mainland Southeast Asia began in the fifth centurybcand lasted for about a millennium. In coastal regions, the development of trade along the Maritime Silk Road led to the growth of port cities. In the interior, a fall in monsoon rains particularly affected the Mun River valley. This coincided with the construction of moats/reservoirs round Iron Age settlements from which water was channelled into wet rice fields, the production of iron ploughshares and sickles, population growth, burgeoning exchange and increased conflict. We explore the social impact of this agricultural revolution through applying statistical analyses to mortuary samples dating before and after the development of wet rice farming. These suggest that there was a swift formation of social elites represented by the wealth of mortuary offerings, followed by a decline. Two associated changes are identified. The first involved burying the dead in residential houses; the second considers the impact of an increasingly aquatic environment on health by examining demographic trends involving a doubling of infant mortality that concentrated on neonates. A comparison between this sequence and that seen in coastal ports suggests two interconnected instances of rapid pathways to social change responding to different social and environmental stressors.

High-Frequency Water Isotopic Analysis Using an Automatic Water Sampling System in Rice-Based Cropping Systems

High-resolution data on a field scale is very important for improving our understanding of hydrological processes. This is particularly the case for water-demanding agricultural production systems such as rice paddies, for which water-saving strategies need to be developed. Here we report on the application of an in situ, automatic sampling system for high-resolution data on stable isotopes of water (18O and 2H). We investigate multiple rice-based cropping systems consisting of wet rice, dry rice and maize, with a single, but distributed analytical system on a sub-hourly basis. Results show that under dry conditions, there is a clear and distinguishable crop effect on isotopic composition in groundwater. The least evaporative affected groundwater source is that of maize, followed by both rice varieties. Groundwater is primarily a mixture of irrigation and rainwater, where the main driver is irrigation water during the dry season and rainwater during the wet season. Stable isotopes of groundwater under dry season maize react rapidly on irrigation, indicating preferential flow processes via cracks and deep roots. The groundwater during the dry season under wet and dry rice fields is dominated at the beginning of the growing season mainly by the input of rainwater; later, the groundwater is more and more replenished by irrigation water. Overall, based on our data, we estimate significantly higher evaporation (63–77%) during the dry season as compared to the wet season (27–36%). We also find, for the first time, significant sub-daily isotopic variation in groundwater and surface ponded water, with an isotopic enrichment during the daytime. High correlations with relative humidity and temperature, explain part of this variability. Furthermore, the day-night isotopic difference in surface water is driven by the temperature and relative humidity; however, in groundwater, it is neither driven by these factors.