Farming Handling with Pro Conservation: Lesson Learned from Farmers at Marginal Land in the District of Karangkobar, Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java

Abstract

The main objective of this research is aimed to study pro-conservation behavior by farmers in managing marginal lands. The specific goals of it are in the following: (1) discovering the characteristic of profile of farmers who have pro-conservation behavior in managing marginal land, (2) inventing the social, economic and ecological factors that support and inhibit pro-conservation farmer behavior in managing marginal land, and various forms of pro-conservation behavior by farmers in managing marginal land. The research location has been determined purposively in Karang Kobar District, Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java Province. The research method used was descriptive survey with qualitative and quantitative approaches. The results showed that the profile of the respondent was unique in various ways, including; age, education, work experience, income, expenditure and socioeconomic status. Most of the respondents have been affected by natural hazards (landslides and erosion due to flooding), therefore the respondents have pro-conservation farming behavior. Some pro-conservation farming practices, starting from planting various types of plants / trees that are suitable for conservation. The preventive action taken by the respondent was making grenades from stones and mounds from the ground. Respondents have also implemented farming with terraces. Respondents' active participation in any socialization activities for land conservation and conservation practices.