Local Wisdom of West Timorese Farmers in Land Management

This paper’s working hypothesis is that the indigenous farming practices of Timorese farmers are those most suitable and adaptable with regard to these farmers’ circumstances. Intensive acceleration land conversion in Java lead a reduction favorable cropland degradation soil biology. To meet demand for food production, unfavorable areas outside Java, including marginal semi-arid on Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara province, have become an important option. Unfortunately, national crop production policy has paid less attention specific biophysical characteristics region how local people adapted diverse environment. We review literature nutrition retention biology, vegetation/crop diversity, practices/management, wisdom management. paper highlights values chemical parameters soils question varied, but generally range from low high. The existence beneficial micro-organisms both improving fertility due their association vegetation/crops. Traditional practices, such as agroforestry Mamar, effectively preserved promote conservation crop/vegetation sustainable agriculture. recommend expansion croplands into needs be considered while taking consideration sustainability environmentally sound traditional practices.