Paddy Field Ecosystem
The Students
The Mentors
Ms. Yeppi
The Central Idea
Biodiversity relies on maintaining the interdependent balance of organisms within systems.
|
The Lines of Inquiry
• Ways in which ecosystems, bio-mes and environments are interdependent.
• How human interaction with the environment can affect the balance of systems. • The consequences of imbalance within ecosystems. |
Inquiry Cycle
Tuning In
We began our research with a question "What are the issues in paddy field ecosystem?".
From our search through internet and some articles, we found out that the common issue was the paddy field in Indonesia decreased every year due to site constructions and the lack interests of being farmers. This affects the Indonesian paddy supply. The less the paddy production, the more we need to import. Of course the farmers will immediately suffer from the import activities. No benefit Most farmers sell their farm because it does not give them a lot of benefits. They don't get a lot of money from selling their paddy because they have to compete with the paddy importers. Some of them turn to be the workers in some industries. 
|
Pests attack
More and more paddy field now turn to be industry area and residences. The ecosystem in paddy field becomes unbalanced. It affects the environment. Certain insects do not have the place to live. They will migrate to settlement to find the place to live. And of course people will feel uncomfortable with the insect attacks. Lack interest of being a farmer Nowadays, not many youth are interested to be a farmer. They prefer working in an office than being a farmer. The reasons are; 1. They can get money easily working for a company. 2. Working in the farm will make their skin darker because of the heat of the sun. 3. The pests and flood will make the farmer suffer from loss. 4. The competition with the importers. 
|
The use of pesticide
Another problem faced at the farm is the use of pesticide. Pesticide can damage the soil. The soil will not be fertile anymore, and that can reduce the paddy production. The high price for good quality paddy seeds The farmers also hardly get the good quality seeds because it is expensive. So, they buy the cheap paddy seeds which don't produce good quality paddy. Poor education about farming Moreover, some of the farmers don't have the knowledge of how to make organic fertilizer and how to handle the pests well. As we know, they only rely on pesticide which is not good for soil fertility. 
KWLH Chart
|
Do You Know?
Finding out
A Visit to Yayasan Bina Desa Indonesia
Making questions
|
| ||
We visited Yayasan Bina Desa Indonesia. Yayasan Bina Desa Indonesia is a nonprofit organization that train farmers and young people to be farmers. They train people to farm in harmony with nature.
We learned that harmonizing farming with nature will increase paddy crop production and reduce dependence on the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Farmers are taught how to control pests by releasing natural predators of the pests. For example, when paddy fields are attacked by rats, the farmers release the mouse predators such as snakes and owls. This method is very effective because it’s cheap and also maintains the balance of ecosystem.
Farmers are also taught how to make organic fertilizer so that they can survive when fertilizer price rises. Apart from that, using organic fertilizer will keep the soil fertile.
We learned that harmonizing farming with nature will increase paddy crop production and reduce dependence on the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Farmers are taught how to control pests by releasing natural predators of the pests. For example, when paddy fields are attacked by rats, the farmers release the mouse predators such as snakes and owls. This method is very effective because it’s cheap and also maintains the balance of ecosystem.
Farmers are also taught how to make organic fertilizer so that they can survive when fertilizer price rises. Apart from that, using organic fertilizer will keep the soil fertile.
A Fieldtrip to Dinas Pertanian dan Perikanan Depok, and Farms in Depok
On Tuesday, February 17, 2015, We had a field-trip to Dinas Pertanian dan Perikanan kota Depok. We learn about farming conservation. Conservation practices play an important role in decreasing food safety risks on the farm. We learn that Dinas Pertanian dan Perikanan couldn't force the farmers not to sell their farms to the developers because they have their right of ownership. But, the developers need to coordinate with the institutions of the state to build a residence. They can't just build it because it is set in the regulation UU Nomor 37 published in 2014, that farming area will only be functioned as a green area.
The continuity of farming is important for our paddy production. To support the farmers, the government provide them good fertilizers, pesticides, and cheap seeds. The government also repairs the irrigation so that the farmers can harvest their paddy three times in a year.
The decreasing of farming area in Depok affects to the supply of paddy production. Depok district needs to buy paddy from another city. Besides, all the Depok district goverment do for helping the farmers when their farms are attacked by the pests is they spray pesticides. This solution is against the solution we have learned from Indonesia Bangun Desa. The use of pesticide in the long term will give the bad impacts to the farms, especially the fertility of the soil and the production of paddy. And when the farming area is flooded, the government will repair the irrigation system and drainage.
The continuity of farming is important for our paddy production. To support the farmers, the government provide them good fertilizers, pesticides, and cheap seeds. The government also repairs the irrigation so that the farmers can harvest their paddy three times in a year.
The decreasing of farming area in Depok affects to the supply of paddy production. Depok district needs to buy paddy from another city. Besides, all the Depok district goverment do for helping the farmers when their farms are attacked by the pests is they spray pesticides. This solution is against the solution we have learned from Indonesia Bangun Desa. The use of pesticide in the long term will give the bad impacts to the farms, especially the fertility of the soil and the production of paddy. And when the farming area is flooded, the government will repair the irrigation system and drainage.
We interviewed farmers' children. They said they didn't want to be a farmer because they have their own dreams. Being a farmer couldn't even make them have a good life and have a good education.
This farmer will no longer work at his farm anymore because the government has paid it for building a highway.
|
These women told us that they didn't want their children to be a farmer because farming didn't give them a lot of benefits. They wanted them to work for a company because they could get the money easily and faster.
Look what we have found out! This farm is surrounded by houses. Perhaps, we will not see this farm again because the government may give the developer permission to build another houses.
|
Sorting Out
After our visits to Indonesia Bina Desa and Dinas Pertanian dan Perikanan kota Depok, we decided to focus on how to educate young generations to farm properly, because the main problem of the paddy field ecosystem is that many people get the wrong information about farming.
Going Further
We planned to make questionnaires to find out about people's knowledge about paddy field ecosystem. The interviewees are people around Al Jabr. The regulations about paddy field ecosystem
|
Questionnaire about paddy field ecosystem
After we got the results of our interviews, we were able to conclude that:
1. Most people like to consume local paddy production. 2. Most people's houses have ever been attacked by insects. And that is because the conversion of paddy fields. 3. Most people don't want to be farmers because of the wrong information about farming. 4. Most people think the conversion of paddy field is because it is a free area. | ||||
Making Conclusion
|
We made a fish bone as a conclusion of our learning about paddy field ecosystem. We wrote the common problems in paddy field ecosystem, the impacts, and how to solve all the problems
|
|
Taking Action
We focused on how to educate young generations to farm properly. So, for our action, we decided to invite guest speakers from Dinas Pertanian dan Perikanan kota Depok. They taught the lower grade students to farm properly.
|
We also had another action. We sent a petition and to the Mayor of Depok expressing how we wanted the Mayor of Depok to revoke the licenses of highway construction on the paddy fields around Depok.
|
|
Our Exhibition
|
|
