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> *“I want people to realize that palm oil is not the only option. Managing land with active crops through agroforestry can create far more promising opportunities.”* \n — Suharni (46), Agroforestry Farmer, Batu Menangis Village

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In Batu Menangis Village, Batu Ampar Sub-district, Seruyan District, Central Kalimantan, Suharni proves that even a small plot of land can become a sustainable source of livelihood when managed properly. Suharni began farming in 2013. Like many farmers in his village, he initially relied on rice and corn as his main sources of income. With limited land and traditional farming practices, he struggled to meet his family’s needs from unpredictable harvests. There were times when yields were low or crops failed altogether, while the cost of seeds and fertilizers continued to rise.

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For Suharni, returning home from the field with produce from only a single crop often felt unsatisfying.

*“When I come home from the garden with just one harvest, it doesn’t feel enough. Even at three in the afternoon, I still don’t feel like going home,”* he recalled.

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That sense of uncertainty eventually found an answer when a program initiated by Gawi Bapakat was introduced in Batu Menangis. For the first time, farmers were supported with seeds and organic fertilizers, introduced to an agroforestry (intercropping) system, and accompanied through hands-on field mentoring.

Suharni decided to try it himself. He no longer planted a single crop on his land; instead, he combined various crops in the same plot. 

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Gradually, the changes began to show results. From one hectare of land, harvests of water spinach and mustard greens alone could generate around IDR 1 million. When combined with corn and peanuts, his total monthly income from the garden could reach approximately IDR 3 million.

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Beyond the numbers, agroforestry transformed Suharni's view of his land. With the same limited area, productivity increased. What once grew only rice and corn now supports a diverse range of crops: jengkol, mango, rambutan, petai, matoa, and sweet oranges. Looking ahead, he also plans to plant dwarf coconut as an additional source of income.

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*“After I started planting additional crops—jengkol, rambutan, mango, and others—the harvest became much more abundant. Alhamdulillah, it is more than enough,”* he said with a satisfied smile.

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Of course, the transition did not come without challenges. Managing a mixed garden requires greater care, particularly to maintain soil health and crop quality. However, continuous support from field facilitators helped Suharni navigate these difficulties.

*“There are certainly challenges in maintaining the crops, but I coordinate closely with the support team,”* he explained.

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For Suharni, agroforestry is not merely about planting multiple crops. It is a way to restore soil fertility and bring life back to the land. Since adopting this system, his garden has felt more vibrant, the soil has been healthier, and the harvests have been of higher quality. From this small plot of land, a bigger dream has emerged: to introduce Batu Menangis’ agricultural products to a wider market.

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The change Suharni initiated has begun to spread throughout the village. Farmers who were previously unfamiliar with intercropping have grown interested after seeing the results of their garden firsthand. News of his success has even reached his hometown, Gantung Pengayuh Village.

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Today, Suharni’s garden is more than a source of income. It has become a source of inspiration. He demonstrates that land can be optimized without relying on a single commodity. Economic value does not come solely from palm oil, but also from other crops such as mango and jengkol, which open access to broader markets.

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His family’s livelihood is now more secure, the soil continues to improve, and the community is gaining confidence to manage land in new and more sustainable ways.

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*“I hope people will not rely solely on palm oil. When land is optimized with a variety of crops, the returns can be far more rewarding,”* Suharni concluded.

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> “Saya ingin masyarakat menyadari bahwa sawit bukan satu-satunya pilihan. Menggarap lahan dengan tanaman aktif melalui agroforestri justru bisa membuka peluang yang lebih menjanjikan.”* \n *— Suharni (46), Petani Agroforestri, Desa Batu Menangis

 ![](https://petani.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/ourstoryentity/2857e657-90cb-4335-bb53-234b74d58e19.jpg)Di Desa Batu Menangis, Kecamatan Batu Ampar, Kabupaten Seruyan, Kalimantan Tengah, Suharni membuktikan bahwa sebidang lahan, sekecil apa pun, bisa menjadi sumber penghidupan yang berkelanjutan jika dikelola dengan cara yang tepat.

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Suharni mulai bertani pada 2013. Seperti kebanyakan petani di desanya, ia mengandalkan padi dan jagung sebagai sumber penghasilan utama. Dengan lahan terbatas dan cara bertani yang masih sederhana, ia berusaha mencukupi kebutuhan keluarga dari hasil panen yang kerap kali tidak menentu. Ada masa ketika hasil panen minim, bahkan gagal panen, sementara biaya pupuk dan bibit terus meningkat.

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Bagi Suharni, pulang dari kebun dengan hasil panen dari satu komoditas sering kali terasa belum cukup.

*“Kalau pulang dari kebun cuma dapat satu hasil panen saja, rasanya kurang puas. Jam tiga sore rasanya belum mau pulang,”* tuturnya.

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Keresahan itu akhirnya menemukan jawabannya ketika di Desa Batu Menangis hadir program yang diinisiasi oleh Gawi Bapakat. Untuk pertama kalinya, para petani diperkenalkan pada sistem agroforestri atau tumpang sari, lengkap dengan dukungan bibit, pupuk organik, serta pendampingan langsung di lapangan.

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Suharni pun mulai mencoba. Ia tidak lagi menanam satu komoditas dalam satu hamparan lahan, tetapi memadukannya dengan berbagai tanaman aktif. Perubahan itu pelan-pelan menunjukkan hasil. Dari lahan seluas satu hektar, panen kangkung dan sawi saja bisa menghasilkan sekitar satu juta rupiah sekali panen. Jika digabung dengan jagung dan kacang, total penghasilan dari kebun bisa mencapai sekitar tiga juta rupiah per bulan.

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Lebih dari sekadar angka, agroforestri membuka cara pandang baru bagi Suharni. Dengan lahan yang sama, produktivitas justru meningkat. Jika sebelumnya hanya padi dan jagung, kini di kebunnya tumbuh beragam tanaman seperti jengkol, mangga, rambutan, petai, matoa, hingga jeruk manis. Ke depan, ia bahkan berencana menambah kelapa genjah sebagai sumber penghasilan tambahan.

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*“Setelah saya menanam tanaman tambahan seperti jengkol, rambutan, mangga, dan lainnya, panennya jadi lebih banyak. Alhamdulillah, sangat mencukupi,”* ujarnya dengan senyum puas.

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Tentu, perubahan ini tidak tanpa tantangan. Merawat kebun dengan berbagai komoditas membutuhkan perhatian lebih, terutama untuk menjaga kualitas tanah dan tanaman. Namun, bagi Suharni, pendampingan yang terus hadir membuat proses belajar terasa lebih ringan.

*“Pasti ada kesulitan dalam merawatnya, tapi saya banyak berkoordinasi dengan tim pendamping,*” katanya.

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 ![](https://petani.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/ourstoryentity/643f1657-345c-4762-a30d-f512d60fc8d5.jpg)

Bagi Suharni, agroforestri bukan sekadar cara menanam beragam tanaman. Sistem ini menjadi kunci untuk menyuburkan tanah dan menghidupkan kembali kebun. Tanah terasa lebih subur, tanaman lebih sehat, dan hasil panen pun semakin berkualitas. Dari kebun kecilnya, tumbuh mimpi yang lebih besar, yaitu memperkenalkan hasil panen Desa Batu Menangis ke pasar yang lebih luas.

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Perubahan yang dilakukan Suharni perlahan menular. Warga desa yang sebelumnya belum mengenal sistem tumpang sari mulai tertarik mencoba setelah melihat langsung hasil kebunnya. Bahkan, kabar keberhasilan ini sampai ke desa kelahirannya, Desa Gantung Pengayuh.

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Kini, kebun Suharni bukan hanya sumber nafkah, tetapi juga sumber inspirasi. Ia membuktikan bahwa lahan bisa dimaksimalkan tanpa bergantung pada satu komoditas saja. Nilai ekonomi tidak hanya datang dari sawit, tetapi juga dari tanaman aktif seperti mangga, jengkol, dan komoditas lain yang membuka akses ke pasar yang lebih luas.

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Kehidupan keluarganya kini lebih tercukupi, tanah semakin subur, dan masyarakat desa semakin percaya diri untuk mengelola lahan dengan cara yang baru dan lebih berkelanjutan.

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*“Saya berharap masyarakat tidak hanya bergantung pada sawit. Kalau lahan dimaksimalkan dengan berbagai tanaman aktif, hasilnya justru bisa lebih menguntungkan,”* tutup Suharni. \n 

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