**3. Models and concepts of** *Dusung* **farming**

*Agroforestry - Small Landholder's Tool for Climate Change Resiliency and Mitigation*

few years later. The *dusung* farming pattern is shown in **Figure 1.**

The cultivation process adapted by the local community, led to a change in secondary forest which was covered by a very dense plant canopy comprising of various bird species, and various types of insects as indicators of a forest ecosystem

The *dusung* farming pattern is still well-practiced, and till date, where the traditional agroforestry with the archipelago's geographical conditions can maintain the ecological and ecosystem functions. Furthermore, biophysical conservation efforts used to cultivate various plants are maintained and function as a buffer zone for water management and soil conservation. The *dusung* farming pattern also provides social sustainability where there is the customary practice of "*sasi,*" which prohibits harvesting before time and economic sustainability. The yields of various types of plants can be sold to the sub-district or district market. In addition, the *dusung* management is carried out together, starting from land preparation to harvesting called "*masohi.*" Generally, there are several *masohi* systems, namely: (1) *Masohi Bilang*: in this masohi the first person individually invites another to help in carrying out the job at the initial stage, (2) *Masohi Balas*: the second person replies to the first to help carry out a job. In other words, there is an exchange of the same work assistance in the implementation of the construction of the *dusung* on the two lands belonging to that person, (3) *Masohi Kumpul*: several people work together by taking time to carry out a job. More than 10 people sequentially carried

This activity ended after all the landowners that participated in the "masohi gathering" had finished the work of producing *dusung.* Therefore, in this case, there was no known work wage, rather there was the exchange of labor assistance in the work of the hamlet [5]. *Dusung* is a traditional conservation system where the regulatory pattern is applied in the village due to the management and utilization of natural resources and the environment. Furthermore, the vegetation that forms in this pattern forms layered canopy strata from various types of plants that have economic value and productivity (multi-cropping). A social value guarantees and improves the need for foodstuffs and the quality of life for rural communities, especially those below the poverty line. For instance, the availability of local energy (firewood) and the ecological value of the diversified forest and agricultural products. Furthermore, there are conservation values associated with improving environmental quality with the provision of products and services in a sustainable manner. In order to measure the extent of the role and function of the *dusung* agroforestry pattern in the Maluku islands, a study needs to be carried out on the following: (1) the pattern's diversity on the island of Ambon, (2) its analysis according to small island agroecological conditions, (3) determining the sustainability index, from the ecological, conservation, landscape, economic and policy implementation aspects and (4) determining the cluster pattern according to the yield sustainability index value in the Maluku islands. Therefore, by examining the profile of the

**4**

**Figure 1.**

Dusung *pattern agroforestry use.*

out this activity.

The concept of *dusung* is a modification of an ever-changing ecosystem due to the formation of new agricultural activities with greater benefits. In terms of ecology and economy, *dusung* (traditional agroforestry) is more complex than a monoculture system because it is local in nature and need to be in accordance with the ecological and socio-economic conditions of the area. *Dusung* is used as a land system with specific productivity objectives capable of improving rural communities' welfare over a prolonged period. It is the "Science and Art" of planting trees and other plants on available land both inside and outside the forest to produce various objects and services for individuals and the general public. It is also a method used to manage forests and their environment on community land to achieve a better socio-economic condition for the rural population and overcome environmental problems, erosion, and soil fertility deterioration. *Dusung* is a traditional pattern of natural resource use (forest), which shows local wisdom of sustainable management of natural resources and their ecosystems. The traditional conservation process in its regulatory pattern runs and applies in rural communities (*Negeri*) with proper management and utilization. In *dusung* farming pattern, the vegetation that forms a layered canopy strata pattern has a productivity value throughout the year (multi-cropping). The *dusung* pattern is a traditional land use system in the form of local wisdom similar to agroforestry [6], as shown in **Table 1.**

The *dusung* farming pattern is a modification of a new ecosystem with greater agricultural benefits, such as (1) ecologically maintaining the quality of natural resources and the whole agroecosystem, which includes animals, plants, and microorganisms. The plants have various root depths, crown heights, and canopy spacing. It also comprises of different requirements for temperature, light intensity, soil,


#### **Table 1.**

Dusung *farming pattern in Maluku.*

air humidity, and land quality, (2) economically sustainable for farmers with the ability to meet all the necessities of life. The *dusung* system is regulated to produce all year round crops, such as coconut, cocoa, nutmeg, and walnuts as well as some are seasonal ones, including cloves, durians, duku, gandaria, *etc*., (3) fair and humane as *dusung* is capable of providing benefits to people without basic dignity of all living things, such as plants, animals, and humans. Regulations regarding business (picking up those that fall on the ground) and *sasi* (harvesting rules) contain elements of justice and humanity [6].
