ICRAF Publication Detail Page

Publication Details

Journal Article
JA0423-11
Article TitleSugar palm (Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr.) for livelihoods and biodiversity conservation in the orangutan habitat of Batang Toru, North Sumatra, Indonesia: mixed prospects for domestication
AuthorEndri Martini, James M Roshetko, Meine van Noordwijk, Arif Rahmanulloh, Elok Mulyoutami, Laxman Joshi and Suseno Budidarsono
Year2012
Journal TitleAgroforestry Systems
InstitutionSpringer Science+Business Media B.V.
Pages1-17
Call NumberJA0423-11
KeywordsNatural regeneration, Enrichment, Planting, Aren
NotesDOI 10.1007/s10457-011-9441-0
Abstract:
Domestication of desirable forest resources in agroforestry is expected to contribute to community based forest conservation efforts, but there may be an optimum level of domestication in this respect. Aren or sugar palm (Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr.) is a multipurpose tree that provides livelihoods for local people and food for other biota in the landscape. However, its domestication is still limited in many places, such as in Batang Toru Forest Block, an area of high conservation value, including habitat for the Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii). Options for aren management were prioritized as part of a landscapescale conservation study by comparing domestication levels in the area. Data on economic indicators and ecological knowledge were gathered through interviews with key farmers, focus groups and transect walks. Four representative villages were selected for the study, that is, (i) two villages with no domestication of aren; and (ii) two villages with aren cultivation in rubber-based land-use systems. Costbenefit analyses suggested that in a rich biodiversity area, such as Batang Toru, although aren was one of the sources of local livelihoods, additional investment for domestication beyond cultivation was not an option considered by farmers. Farmers still perceived wildlife as an efficient mode of aren regeneration, supported by the coexistence of people and other biota in the area. It appears the value of aren for local people’s livelihoods and conservation can be enhanced by increasing its stocking density. There is also scope for improving market access and share of end-user value received by farmers.
Download file(s): Click icon to download/open file.
  File Size Description
download file - URL
GRP 1: Domestication, utilization andconservation ofsuperior agroforestry germplasm
GRP 2: Maximizing on-farm productivity of trees and agroforestry systems
GRP 5: Improving the ability of farmers, ecosystems & governments to cope with climate change
GRP 6: Developing policies and incentives for multifunctional landscapes with trees that provide environmental services
Viewed in 2439 times. Downloaded in 481 times.