Cultural Ecology and Local Wisdom of Dieng Agrarian Traditions in Sustainable Agriculture

Agung Wibowo, Sapja Anantanyu, Arip Wijianto, Suwarto Suwarto, Diwi Acita Irawati, Putri Permatasari

Abstract


This study aims to analyze forms of traditional agrarian wisdom practiced by the Dieng community, the socio-ecological functions of local traditions in supporting sustainable agriculture, and the dynamics of agricultural modernization on the sustainability of local agrarian culture. The study used a qualitative approach with a phenomenological and cultural ecology perspective. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, documentation, and literature review, were analyzed using thematic and interpretative techniques The results show that the traditions of earth thanksgiving ritual, pre harvest thanksgiving ceremony), mutual cooperation, and protection of water sources serve to strengthen social cohesion, community resilience, ecological awareness, and environmental conservation in agrarian communities. On the other hand, agricultural modernization through market orientation and production intensification encourages the transformation of agrarian culture while increasing ecological pressures in mountainous areas. This research confirms that revitalizing local agrarian traditions is important as a strategy to strengthening socio-ecological and promoting sustainable agriculture based on local wisdom in highland areas.


Keywords


Agrarian; Cultural; Dieng; Socio-ecological; Sustainable;

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abadi, A., & Khakzand, M. (2022). Extracting The Qualitative Dimensions of Agritourism for The Sustainable Development of Charqoli Village in Iran: The Promotion of Vernacular Entrepreneurship and Environment-Oriented Preservation Perspectives. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 24(11), 12609–12671. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01958-0.

Adefila, A. O., Ajayi, O. O., Toromade, A. S., & Sam-Bulya, N. J. (2024). Integrating Traditional Knowledge with Modern Agricultural Practices: A Sociocultural Framework for Sustainable Development. World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 20(2), 125–135. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjbphs.2024.20.2.0850.

Adisa, O., Ilugbusi, B. S., Adelekan, O. A., Asuzu, O. F., & Ndubuisi, N. L. (2024). A Comprehensive Review of Redefining Agricultural Economics for Sustainable Development: Overcoming Challenges and Seizing Opportunities in A Changing World. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 21(1), 2329–2341. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.21.1.0322.

Anata, R. R., & Anata, R. R. (2025). Analisis Kerusakan Lingkungan Akibat Praktik Pertanian Kentang Intensif terhadap Objek Wisata di Kawasan Dataran Tinggi Dieng. AGROMEDIA: Berkala Ilmiah Ilmu-Ilmu Pertanian, 43(1), 57–68. https://doi.org/10.47728/ag.v43i1.588.

Anisah, A., Muhaimin, A. W., & Maulidah, S. (2021). Strategy of Risk Adaptation for Local Maize Farmers Based on Livelihood Assets in Madura. AGRIEKONOMIKA, 10(2), 125–136. https://doi.org/10.21107/agriekonomika.v10i2.10439.

Bethel, M. B., Braud, D. H., Lambeth, T., Dardar, D. S., & Ferguson-Bohnee, P. (2022). Mapping Risk Factors to Climate Change Impacts Using Traditional Ecological Knowledge to Support Adaptation Planning with A Native American Tribe in Louisiana. Journal of Environmental Management, 301, 113801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113801.

Chand, S. P. (2025). Methods of Data Collection in Qualitative Research: Interviews, Focus Groups, Observations, and Document Analysis. Advances in Educational Research and Evaluation, 6(1), 303–317. https://doi.org/10.25082/AERE.2025.01.001.

Djafar, F., Akibu, R. S., & Namdech, P. (2025). Strengthening Local Government Organisation Capacity for Adaptive Development Policy Responsive to Community Needs. Journal of Contemporary Governance and Public Policy, 6(2), 135–156. https://doi.org/10.46507/jcgpp.v6i2.715.

Ekka, P., Patra, S., Upreti, M., Kumar, G., Kumar, A., & Saikia, P. (2023). Land Degradation and its Impacts on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Land and Environmental Management through Forestry.WILEY https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119910527.ch4.

Fauzan, A. (2025). The Transformation Of Traditional Culture In Responding To The Challenges Of Globalization In Local Indonesian Communities. The Journal of Academic Science, 2(3), 1021–1030.

Fenetiruma, O. A., & Kamakaula, Y. (2023). Ecological and Cultural Balance In Traditional Agriculture: An Environmental Anthropological Approach. Global International Journal of Innovative Research, 1(2), 68–77.

Gutiérrez Cano, L. F., Zartha Sossa, J. W., Orozco Mendoza, G. L., Suárez Guzmán, L. M., Agudelo Tapasco, D. A., & Quintero Saavedra, J. I. (2023). Agricultural Innovation System: Analysis From The Subsystems of R&D, Training, Extension, and Sustainability. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7, 1176366. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1176366.

Järvelä, M. (2023). Dimensions of Cultural Sustainability—Local Adaptation, Adaptive Capacity and Social Resilience. Frontiers in Political Science, 5, 1285602. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2023.1285602.

Jumali, M. A., Kristina, A., & binti Kamsin, K. (2026). The Labor Culture of Madurese Siwalan Farmers: Morality and Attitude. AGRIEKONOMIKA, 15(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/ 10.21107/agriekonomika.v15i1.31193.

Leal Filho, W., Barbir, J., Gwenzi, J., Ayal, D., Simpson, N. P., Adeleke, L., Tilahun, B., Chirisa, I., Gbedemah, S. F., & Nzengya, D. M. (2022). The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Climate Change Adaptation in Africa. Environmental Science & Policy, 136, 250–260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.06.004.

Li, J., Han, F., Chen, Z., & Cai, Y. (2023). Synergizing A Socio-Ecological System: Reflections on Community-Based Natural Resource Management at The World Heritage Site of Mount Huangshan, China. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 66(4), 861–881. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2021.2007060.

Magda, D., Lamine, C., & Billaud, J.-P. (2022). Considering The Diverse Views of Ecologisation in The Agrifood Transition: An Analysis Based on Human Relationships with Nature. Environmental Values, 31(6), 657–679. https://doi.org/10.3197/096327121X16387842836940.

McKim, C. (2023). Meaningful Member-Checking: A Structured Approach To Member-Checking. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 7(2), 41–52.

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2018). Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook. Sage Publications.

Mishra, H. (2025). Environmental Degradation and Impacts on Agricultural Production: A Challenge to Urban Sustainability. Sustainable Urban Environment and Waste Management: Theory and Practice. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-1140-9_3.

Nain, U., Faisal, M., Amin, N. I., & Nahruddin, Z. (2025). The Impact of Modernization on Social Change in Rural Communities in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change, 10(2), 611–619. https://doi.org/10.64753/jcasc.v10i2.1657.

Oluwatoyin, F., & Mardikaningsih, R. (2022). Community Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change Based on Socio-Cultural Perspective. Journal of Social Science Studies, 2(1), 167–172.

Padhiary, M., & Kumar, R. (2024). Assessing The Environmental Impacts of Agriculture, Industrial Operations, and Mining on Agro-Ecosystems. In Smart Internet of Things for Environment and Healthcare. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-70102-3_8.

Pahwa, M., Cavanagh, A., & Vanstone, M. (2023). Key Informants in Applied Qualitative Health Research. Qualitative Health Research, 33(14), 1251–1261. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323231198796.

Redclift, M. (2023). The Role of Agricultural Technology in Sustainable Development. In Technological Change and The Rural Environment. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003394624-4.

Sarkar, R., & Kalita, L. (2026). Positivist, Interpretive, and Constructivist Approaches: Research Paradigms. In Innovative Approaches to Social Research Challenges. IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-6410-0.ch004.

Sharifian, A., Fernández-Llamazares, Á., Wario, H. T., Molnár, Z., & Cabeza, M. (2022). Dynamics of Pastoral Traditional Ecological Knowledge: A Global State-of-the-art review. Ecology and Society, 27(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-12918-270114.

Singh, R. B., Paroda, R. S., & Dadlani, M. (2022). Science, technology and innovation. In Indian Agriculture Towards 2030: Pathways for Enhancing Farmers' Income. Nutritional Security and Sustainable Food and Farm Systems. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0763-0_8.

Smaldone, N., Kansanga, M., & Ledermann, S. (2025). Over A Decade Into The New Green Revolution for Africa: A Systematic Review of Key Outcomes. African Geographical Review, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/19376812.2025.2563335.

Suryawan, I. W. K., Sianipar, I. M. J., Lee, C.-H., Rahman, A., & Sofiyah, E. S. (2025). Community Attitudes, Adaptive Capacity, and Competitive Performance in Sustainable Tourism Development in A Small Town. Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science, 9(4), 1053–1079. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41685-025-00399-1.

Uçkun, A. A. (2025). Enhancing Climate Resilience and Sustainability Through Agroecology: A Review of Key Principles and Recent Advances (2020–2025). World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 26(3), 2189–2209. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.26.3.2358.

Viñals, E., Maneja, R., Rufí-Salís, M., Martí, M., & Puy, N. (2023). Reviewing Social-Ecological Resilience for Agroforestry Systems Under Climate Change Conditions. Science of the Total Environment, 869, 161763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161763.

Wang, X. (2022). Managing Land Carrying Capacity: Key to Achieving Sustainable Production Systems for Food Security. Land, 11(4), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11040484.

Widiawati, Y. (2025). Pengaruh Sistem Pertanian Organik terhadap Kesehatan Tanah dan Keanekaragaman Hayati di Lahan Hortikultura Dataran Tinggi Dieng. ARMADA: Jurnal Penelitian Multidisiplin, 3(6), 194–200. https://doi.org/10.55681/armada.v3i6.1668.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.21107/agriekonomika.v15i2.34575

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Bookmark and Share


 
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.