By: Choirul Fuadi)*
CIDISS – Burning Gambut (turf) land is a tradition way for farming in most of people of Central Kalimantan. Because the burning, it made the smog and land fire. Then, it makes an idea to farm without burning the Gambut land.
Tamam Murudin, people of Kalampangan, Palangka Raya City, Central Kalimantan Province, and farmers, initiate the farming without burning the land, but the Gambut land is still fertile and has big benefit or profit.
Tamam said that actually clearing the land by burning, it will make the land more low and hard to farm, and it make a puddle of water. Then, clearing using hoe or blade is need in this case. After that, mix the fertile soil with compos with from cow and chicken waste, also chalk or lime. It will be neutralize the gambut land.
Tamam who was born in Ngawi, East Java Province and has been living in Kalampangan since 1980, has success planting various plants, such spinach, Kangkung, bean, corn, chili, lengkuas (ginger plant). Banana, ginger and celery in Gambut land.
Farming without burning in Gambut land for farmer will give positive effect, moreover in tackling the forest and land fire. Staff Redd+ UNDP Khairullah, such quote in Antaranewskalteng.com said that the experience of farmers in Kalampangan become module in training of tackling the forest and land fire, especially in Central Kalimanta Province.
Farming in Gambut land without burning, the experience absolutely will give positive direction for farmers in another province which has large of Gambut land, such as Jambi, South Sumatera, Riau and West Kalimantan.
