IFS: Sowing The Future

Sharing Experiences between Lampung and Wamena

By: Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta.          

Local Wisdom from Lampung to Wamena

Amidst the pressing challenges of food security and climate change, the Integrated Farming System (IFS) offers a holistic approach that integrates crops, livestock, fisheries, and waste management into a mutually supportive ecosystem. More than a mere technique, IFS embodies a philosophy of life grounded in self-reliance, sustainability, and local wisdom. On Friday, September 19, 2025, Stube HEMAT collaborated online with Daniel, Chairman of the Sejahtera Agung Jaya Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDES), and Pastor Dedikson Patras to explore and expand understanding of the potential in these two regions.

Lampung and Wamena have emerged as inspirational hotspots for many young people. Daniel shared, “Exploring integrated farming, as I did, wasn’t something that happened overnight. The first year or two were challenging—it was an investment period with no visible results. Only in the later stages do we begin to see the fruits or profits.” Daniel combined cassava plantations with goat farming, tapping into a promising local resource. Cassava roots and leaves serve as animal feed, while goat manure is used as fertilizer. His current livestock pen, which houses 70 goats, has proven insufficient; next year, he plans to build a new pen to support expansion. Meat goat farming holds great potential, especially when paired with innovative strategies such as feed fermentation and cassava leaf silage, which can last up to a year. By producing their own feed, farmers reduce reliance on external suppliers, increase profits, and minimize dependence on chemical fertilizers.

Wamena in Papua differs from Lampung, but IFS is not a uniform system—it is flexible and contextualized to suit each region. In the Papuan highlands, the IFS approach is rooted in tradition. Farmers typically combine the cultivation of sweet potatoes, local vegetables, and pigs in a rotational system that helps maintain soil fertility. Animal manure serves as fertilizer, while crop residues are repurposed as animal feed. With minimal reliance on technology, sustainability is practiced through local wisdom. Pastor Dedikson Patras, who oversees human resource development at the YKS institution, has become increasingly interested in cultivating agricultural land alongside the young people he mentors. In Wamena’s context, agriculture and pig farming are vital. These sectors can serve as primary sources of income and fundraising for the institution.

Educational Value and Social Transformation

IFS is not only about production—it’s also a powerful tool for education. When children in Wamena learn that pig manure can fertilize fields, or those in Lampung observe how cassava plants and goats interact, they gain insights into ecology, economics, and work ethics. In this way, IFS serves as a vehicle for social transformation, bridging science with everyday life. The main challenges include limited access to information, lack of technical assistance, and the need to shift mindsets. Yet, through participatory and community-based approaches, IFS can evolve into a grassroots movement that strengthens local resilience.

Sowing the Future

IFS teaches us that agriculture is not only about yield, but about relationships—between humans and nature, between generations, and between knowledge and tradition. From Lampung to Wamena, we see that sustainability is not an abstract concept, but a daily practice that can be passed down and continually developed. Embrace the process, the struggle, and the harvest.***