Exploring agricultural local wisdom in the indigenous bonokeling community of Banyumas Regency
Budiyoko Budiyoko(a*), Sunendar Sunendar(a), Exwan Andriyan Verrysaputro(b), and Nashar Nashar(c)

(a) Faculty of Agriculture, Jenderal Soedirman University, Banyumas, Indonesia
(b) Faculty of Humanities, Jenderal Soedirman University, Banyumas, Indonesia
(c) Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University, Serang, Indonesia

Abstract

The indigenous Bonokeling community in Pekuncen Village, Jatilawang District, Banyumas Regency, steadfastly upholds their ancestral beliefs and traditions. These traditions encompass not only their spiritual relationship with God but also their everyday social practices, including agricultural activities. This research aims to identify the local wisdom practices in agriculture implemented by the Bonokeling indigenous community in Banyumas Regency. Local wisdom refers to the traditional knowledge and practices passed down through generations for sustainable natural resource management. The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis. The analysis focuses on identifying various local wisdom practices in rice farming, from seed preparation to harvesting. In the agricultural context, local wisdom plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance, agricultural productivity, and cultural preservation. This is increasingly important given the climate crisis, which poses a significant challenge for the agricultural sector to adapt. The findings of this research are expected to serve as best practices and lessons for implementing agriculture in alignment with cultural values and natural resource conservation.

Keywords: local wisdom- local ecological knowledge- climate change- agriculture- javanese culture

Topic: Agricultural Socio-economics