Keeping Land Alive Without Fire

Kompas/Rhama Purna Jati

A farmer in Bukit Batu village, Air Sugihan district, Ogan Komering Ilir regency, South Sumatra, carries a corn seed planter on his farm, Thursday (24/8). Farmers in the village no longer clear land by fire but have reorganized land management so that the land can still be planted and to reduce the potential of land fires.

Mujiono, 32, from Bukit Batu village in Air Sugihan district, Ogan Komering Ilir regency, South Sumatra, was cutting the grass that grew between the 50-centimeter-tall corn plants in his fields on Thursday (24/8/2017). The grass will be used as feed for his three cows.

Mujiono gathered the grass with enthusiasm, as he had just made Rp 18 million (US$1,352.16) from selling one of his cows. The cows also produce manure for fertilizing his crops. As a result, his cornfield produces between 3 tons and 4 tons of corn per hectare, earning him Rp 12 million.