Empowering Women Farmers: Cultivating Sustainable Livelihoods Through Home Yard Horticulture on Marginal Land in Imogiri, Yogyakarta

Abstract

This study addresses food security and limited productive land in Java, focusing on marginal lands with steep topography and proximity to forest borders in Yogyakarta. Conventional perennial crops offer slow returns, prompting the exploration of alternative solutions. This research, conducted with Kelompok Wanita Tani (KWT) Cengkehan in Imogiri, a group facing land constraints and human-wildlife conflict with long-tailed macaques, investigates the utilization of home yards for horticulture planting. Through observation and interviews, we found that KWT Cengkehan successfully implemented a strategy of planting vegetables and medicinal plants in repurposed plastic waste containers on their sloped land. This innovative approach not only addresses land limitations and plastic waste management but also aligns with the Javanese philosophy of memayu hayuning bawana, fostering harmony with nature and mitigating wildlife conflicts by avoiding open-field cultivation. The findings suggest this method enhances agricultural productivity and economic value for the community, serving as a sustainable model for rural development.