Turning Back Rice Farming on Dayak Meratus Tribe in South Kalimantan – Indonesia: An Environmental and Economic Assessment

Abstract

We report here the evaluation of ecological performance and economic status of turning back farming practiced by indigenous people of Dayak Meratus. The scoring based on LEISA (Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture) was applied to determine whether the ecological performance is at the level of high, medium, or low. Afterward, the economic performance also assessed by implementing revenue-cost ratio (RCR). Dayak Meratus community implement an indigenous farming system called turning back farming. They move their farming area to another area each year, and then return to the first area after years. Their farming practice is rich with ritual in each stage; and has to accordance with the customary law which respect nature, forest and ancestor. We found that the ecological level of the turning back rice farming were in the medium level because some of some ideal farming practice are neglected and the use of chemical substance. The economic performance was not feasible as the RCR value was below 1.00. We suggest that the farmers follow the customary law and conducted social control. Government encouragement and support is needed to educate people in using of natural pesticide and organic fertilizer, and crop rotation in the corridor of customary law.