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- Socioeconomic and Environmental Impacts of Smallholder Tea Plantation...
Socioeconomic and Environmental Impacts of Smallholder Tea Plantation Project in Watershed Area in West Java Province, Indonesia
Thesis Abstract:
The study was conducted primarily to evaluate the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of smallholder tea plantation projects, particularly the Tree Crop Sector Smallholder Project (TCSSP) in a watershed area in West Java Province. The study was focused on tea smallholders in Soreang PMU, the district of Bandung, West Java Province.
The socioeconomic impacts of TCSSP were analyzed using the “with” and “without” project analysis. The biophysical impact as indicated by soil erosion rate was analyzed using “before” and “after” project analysis. The analysis covered 400 smallholder tea farmers (200 participants and 200 non-participants) of TCSSP.
Participant-farmers of TCSSP had higher family net farm income by 15 percent (IDR5.1M) than non-participants (IDR4.4M).
Woman labor utilization of participant-farmers was higher by 11 percent (536.81 MD) than non-participant TCSSP (498.73 MD).
TCSSP reduced the average soil erosion rate from 17.3 tons/ha/year in 1992 (before TCSSP) to 13.3 tons/ha/year in 1998 (after TCSSP).
One other benefit of the development of tea plantations was the potential agrotourism industry wherein these impacts support effectively the management of the Citarum River watershed.
Women labor had an important position in tea plantation activities and held a major portion with 536.81 MD of the total 660.27 MD (82%) for participating farmers
of TCSSP and 498.743 MD from the total 604.73 MD (81%) for non-participating farmers of TCSSP on a yearly basis.
Trainings and contact with field extension workers (FEWs) were found to be strong determinants for promoting farmer’s knowledge and skills. The government should promote farmer’s training and accelerate the frequency of meetings between tea farmers and FEWs.
Distribution of inputs should be improved to ensure on time delivery. The Tea Farmers Association (TFA) should be more active in providing input and output services to the farmers. Aside from technical training, management training to be participated in by the TFA staff should be conducted. Additionally, there should be more women staff members.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) should be incorporated in tea plantation management to encourage farmer participants to control pests, diseases, and weed without using chemicals, which damage the environment.
Small tea processing plants should be developed, owned, and operated by TFA, to better ensure tea leaves marketing.