PORANG AGROFORESTRY - A MODEL

AGROFORESTRY TO GROW PORANG ia a model implemented in Indonesia for commercialization. Porang is a bulbous plant that can grow in shaded trees at intensity between 40 - 75%. Introduction of Porang under forest    stands began in the 1980s in Klangon, RPH Saradan and later spread in East Java. Porang produces mannan flour or Konnyaku flour which in Japan is processed into various functional food ingredients (Konnyaku, 2015) for the use of prevention or treatment of diabetes and is good for digestion. Porang habitat in Malang, Jawa, Indosesia for instance, is located in the shade of surrounding vegetation. Many wild-growing Porang is found under bamboo stands, while Porang that is cultivated is widely grown under Teak plants but nowadays in which Japan is a major producer of Konnyaku flour from the Amorpophallus konjac species. This type is actually cultivated without needing shade (See photo above). Porang is able to grow well in various types of shading and according to Japanese Ministry of Finance’s statistic the production of Porang tubers in the past five years always above 60,000 tons per year, except for 2013 due to climate change factors, and despite a fluctuating trend there was more than 70,000 tons in 2015. Japan also imports Konyaku flour from various countries in Southeast Asia, such as Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Indonesia. There is a tendency for Konnyaku flour imports from Indonesia to increase in the past seven years and even in 2014 defeated Myanmar, Laos, nd China. This is an opportunity for Indonesian government to increase exporting of Konnyaku flour by expanding adoption and diffusion of Porang tubers under forest stands. Thin blog ''Anim Agriculture Technology'' write about the agroforestry far porang growing as a model.

Several studies have shown contribution of Porang tubers increasing income of forest farming families. Currently, price of Porang tubers is around Rp 4,500/kg of wet tubers or Rp 31,000/kg dried tubers. In one hectare, 5 - 6 tons of wet tubers may be obtained, so that the potential gross income from its tubers planted within one-hectare forest stands may reach Rp 25 - 35 million/year. This amount is helpful to increase income of forest farmer families. This contribution should be doubled by improving intensive cultivation in terms of spacing and fertilization. Agroforestry is a system of land use (farming) that combines trees with agricultural crops to increase profits, both economically and environmentally. Its scheme is one of an effective methods of land management for equity and stages to overcome poverty in village forest community by contributing to household income 41.32 percent and employment of 2.39 people per ha.  Several benefits of applying its method, such as (1) increasing food production, farmer income, employment opportunities and increasing the quality of community nutrition so as to achieve farmers’ welfare around forests; (2) increasing knowledge and skills of farmers to develop an agricultural intensification system in dry soils in the countryside which means increased productivity of dry agricultural land (moor), and (3) increasing public awareness of forest functions that are expected to reduce pressure against forest disturbances.

Porang growing activities in three year activities program included institutional workshops and introduction of Porang cultivation, procurement of Porang seeds, development of demonstration plot, and facilitation on planting Porang under stands have been done. These activities increase basic work in environmental knowledge and skills of farmers in the model of agroforestry. Porang cultivation in selected area by farmer group institution for continution for thr next two year-program of Agroforestry Porang in managing post-harvest to increase farmers' income from porang production. Based on studies done and farmers experience in community service program in Banyusoco village, Gunung Kidul, goverment suggest to be considered in developing PLDT are as follows. First, the need for socialization and discussion that provides an overview of where program will be directed. Visualization of final goal of program may use documentary films or images of actual conditions desired in the future or empirically practiced. Second, need to strengthen institutions by making clear rules of the game about what to do, who will do what, who will give what and what to get. Third, the need for assistance in every activity in the field so that there is appropriate technology transfer and communication between members and administrators. Explanation and giving direct examples in the field of the cultivation techniques carried out may increase their confidence in what they are doing. Thanks...

By,

M Anim,

Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

(January 2021).

Updated on 26 October 2025.

Wellcome All Leader to 47th ASEAN Summit at Kuala Lumpur.