JIRO JARO ECOLOGY ACADEMY OF EAST NUSATENGGARA RENOVATES ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND AGRARIAN REFORM FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION

The Jiro Jaro Ecology Academy was established in 2005 as an education and training center for the people of Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and the surrounding area to learn sustainable agricultural practices and agrarian reform. This organization is also one of the oldest people's organizations in NTT. As an education and training center, the Jiro Jaro Ecology Academy adheres to the principles of knowledge and skills, local wisdom, the character of an environmentally conscious community, cadre development, and relationships with experts. To fulfill its role, the Jiro Jaro Ecology Academy has supporting infrastructure such as a hall, accommodation building, dining room and kitchen, a model farming site, a prayer room, and a farming workshop. However, like organizations in the region in general, the Jiro Jaro Ecology Academy also experiences funding difficulties. This condition makes the organization unable to renovate damaged infrastructure, as well as operational organization to mentor and provide sustainable agricultural training to the community.

The Jiro Jaro Ecology Academy used direct funding to renovate the organization's damaged infrastructure. Repairs were carried out section by section. This presented a challenge for the Jiro Jaro Ecology Academy. Because the repairs were carried out section by section, the costs exceeded the initial plan. Furthermore, there was the challenge of the hired craftsmen quitting before the work was completed. However, they were able to resolve this issue effectively. They managed the repair process to fit the available budget and received assistance with carpentry from young farmers who are members of the Jiro Jaro Ecology Academy. However, the renovation process was not completed due to insufficient funding.

In addition to infrastructure improvements, the Jiro Jaro Ecology Academy also conducted training for 20 new cadres. Participants came from students, activists, and community groups. The material provided concerned sustainable agricultural management and policy advocacy. The sustainable agriculture material included how to make liquid organic fertilizer (POC) and botanical pesticides, cultivation techniques, and reforestation of springs with plants and fish. Meanwhile, during the delivery of policy advocacy material, participants were invited to discuss cases in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), such as the geothermal project in West Manggarai, the seizure of customary land by companies holding HGU permits in Nangahale, mining in several locations in NTT, animal hunting, and the impact of the climate crisis.

Although the infrastructure renovation is not yet complete, this initiative has provided training and education for local cadres on sustainable agriculture and policy advocacy. With the presence of local cadres, the Jiro Jaro Ecology Academy contributes to addressing the appropriation of living space and building community solidarity through youth engagement. This initiative has impacted an area of ​​800 hectares and 1.888 people.