Sewu Bewa and Ripi Walo Farmer Groups are two farmer groups located in Detukopi Village, Liakutu Village, Mego District, East Nusa Tenggara with 17 members in each group. Meanwhile, the population of Liakutu Village is 1.049 people (male: 513, female: 536). Most of the people work as farmers. The agricultural land cultivated by these farmers is dry agricultural land planted with food crops (rice, corn), horticulture (chilli, tomatoes, red beans) and long-lived woody plants (candlenut, cocoa and coffee). In addition, one of the sources of livelihood that supports farmers is the availability of abundant water resources of up to 8 springs.
In the 2000s, Detukopi Village was used as a survey point to determine the potential for gold mining. From the results of the survey conducted by the local government, it was found that the gold deposits in Detukopi Village and its surroundings were still classified as young gold, so it was necessary to wait another 20-30 years for mining to be carried out. Knowing this, in 2000-2003 the people of Liakutu Village then protested loudly through demonstrations at the Sikka DPRD office and the Sikka Regional Government to reject the gold mining plan in their area. This was based on the knowledge of the community who were aware of the negative impacts of mining.
Some of the negative impacts of mining activities include land subsidence, decreased soil quality, decreased vegetation cover, deforestation, decreased water discharge and even drought, erosion and landslides, not to mention the impacts on socio-economic aspects such as conflicts between local communities, public health, social and cultural changes, psychological well-being, reduced agricultural production, environmental and water resource degradation, and even the loss of farmers' livelihoods due to the loss of their cultivated land which has been converted into mining land.
Therefore, the need for increased knowledge, strengthening of organizations and assistance from parties to build public awareness is important to do so that the community has an understanding of efforts to prevent mining activities and the negative impacts caused by gold mining in Liakutu Village. In addition, the land owned by farmers needs to be managed properly and sustainably. The use of herbicides, fertilizers and chemical pesticides has affected the development of farmers' production results. Furthermore, the impact of climate change has also had a major impact on farmers' production results which are decreasing.
Increasing Knowledge for Sustainable Agriculture
Since its formation, the Sewu Bewa and Ripi Walo Farmers Groups have not received any assistance from the Agricultural Extension Officers (PPL) of the Agriculture Service, so the farmer groups still need assistance and increased knowledge regarding organizational management. In addition, the farmer groups also need training to increase the productivity of their agricultural land processing. Until now, the agricultural land cultivated by the farmer groups is still very small because of the soil and climate conditions in their areas which are in the highlands, resulting in minimal interest from farmers to cultivate the land. As a result, there is a lot of empty and unproductive land.
In 2024, for the first time, the Sewu Bewa and Ripi Walo Farmers Group received support. The support came from the Nusantara Fund and assistance from Wahana Tani Mandiri (WTM) for the program "strengthening land management capacity through the development of sustainable agricultural businesses".
The implementation of this program is carried out through the provision of polybags, seedlings (nutmeg, red beans, carrots), provision of tools and materials for making organic pesticide fertilizers (jars, tarpaulins, sprayers, M4, graters), whiteboards to support group inventory and training on soil fertility, fertilization, organic fertilizers and pesticides, pest and disease control, group management, plant cultivation. In addition, environmental information and knowledge continue to be socialized and informed every time there is a joint activity.
Riantoanus Panggao, a member of the Ripi Walo Farmers Group, said that: "The support of Dana Nusantara and assistance from WTM, has brought many changes in the group. Currently, farmers are starting to think and look at agricultural crops. In addition to nutmeg, farmers are starting to do independent seeding such as cocoa, papaya and avocado".
He further explained “Young farmers should not relax. With a healthy and young position, we have a long time, do not be late. There is still a lot of idle land so there is an opportunity to continue planting in large quantities", said Rintoanus Panggo.
With knowledge about chemical and organic fertilizers, farmers began to actively discuss and stop using chemical fertilizers and began to utilize organic fertilizers made by groups. Usually, during land preparation and planting, farmers begin to procure organic fertilizers and pesticides from Maumere. Currently, farmers are starting to use and apply liquid organic fertilizers made by groups. The application of organic fertilizers to the vegetables grown makes the plants grow better. In addition to making them together in groups, there are farmers who make liquid organic fertilizers independently at home.
The practice of terracing on sloping land has begun to be carried out by Detukopi farmers. There are farmers who intend to develop permanent fields by continuing to strive for soil fertility by making terracing and using organic fertilizers. For the development of the program in the Sewu Bewa and Ripi Walo Farmers Groups, they are preparing land for planting carrots and red beans. In addition, plant care in the nursery continues to be carried out, in addition to preparing holes for planting.