In Indonesia, approximately 60% of the population is engaged in agricultural activities. In the matter of minutes, over 4,000 acres of productive farmland was devastated by the enormous surge of sea water on December 26, 2004. The disaster wiped out numerous families and dreams, along with a profitable, well sufficient agronomics that once supported most of the local households. While short term food supply continues to arrive to the impacted area, the scattered communities also await for more structured strategies which allow them to cultivate and survive in a harsh environment that they once relied on.

Goals

+ to rehabilitate farmland degraded by the tsunami for cultivation of food, materials, and cash crops to alleviate loss and damages

+ to establish versatile and efficient agricultural program that is uncomplicated to post disaster refugees

+ to introduce frameworks of best management practices to existing and future agricultural activities

+ to incorporate sustainable agricultural practices that would ensure revenues for the farming communities as well as to conserve biodiversity in the endangered lowland forest

+ to build community and economical network through agricultural programs which require cooperation and understanding in local, regional and national context.

Scope

This project focuses on providing an agricultural development plan for the rural farming communities as they establish their new homes. Based on the existing site conditions and studies of agricultural practices in Indonesia from research, a secessional agricultural schedule is developed. While the system is sensitive to the current needs, it also interprets the importance of sustainable farming practices that is mostly neglected. For example, farming activities in the coming two years should emphasize on amending soil from the tsunami disaster. As natural resources and revenues become available, smaller parcels can be combined and eventually cultivate for more valuable crops. This system provides alternatives and suggestions at various stages of development, which could improve unsustainable farming practices that are harming the local ecology.