Indigenous knowledge of banjarese tribe farmers in paddy cultivation at tidal Swamplands in South Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Traditionally, tidal swampland has been utilized by the Banjarese tribe for farming. They have a unique indigenous knowledge in the paddy agriculture system. This indigenous knowledge is obtained hereditarily through the life experience in the interactions with the surrounding environment. By owning the indigenous knowledge, it can make the paddy agriculture in the tidal swampland sustainable. This research aimed at identifying and describing the indigenous knowledge of Banjarese tribe farmers in the tidal swampland which is commonly practiced until today. The method used in this research was a qualitative method with an ethnographic approach. In the research data collection, observation technique, documentation, and indepth interview were used. The subjects of this study were the Banjarese tribe farmers who are supported by the key informant. The data analysis technique was conducted with triangulation technique. The research results showed that the Banjarese tribe farmers have the indigenous knowledge on season determination, land selection, land management, seed selection, planting, and harvesting. The implication of this study can give the information to the planning and development of agriculture in tidal swampland by the relevant agencies, realize the sustainable cultivation concept through the land conservation with the tapulikampar system, anticipate the crop failure, and realize the food sovereignty.