Tag Archives: rural household

1228-1236 H. Roubík, J. Mazancová, A. Brunerová and D. Herák
Factors influencing use of fuelwood and its environmental impacts in Tapanuli Utara regency, North Sumatra
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Factors influencing use of fuelwood and its environmental impacts in Tapanuli Utara regency, North Sumatra

H. Roubík¹*, J. Mazancová¹, A. Brunerová² and D. Herák³

¹Department of Sustainable Technologies, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, CZ165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
²Department of Material Science and Manufacturing, Faculty of Engineering, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, CZ165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
³Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, CZ165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
*Correspondence: roubik@ftz.czu.cz

Abstract:

Deforestation and forest degradation, after burning of fossil fuels, is considered as the second leading cause of anthropogenic greenhouse emissions (accounting for over 17% of global carbon dioxide emissions) and has become an important issue concerning climate change mitigation. The provision of wood energy is generally thought to be a major contributor to forest loss. In Indonesia, more than half of the rainforest there, the third-largest swath in the world, has been felled in just a few years. Furthermore, permission has been granted to convert the majority of what remains into palm or acacia plantations. The logging and burning of forests to clear land for cultivation has made Indonesia one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the current level and influencing factors of the use of fuelwood among the rural population as well as the consequent environmental impacts in the target area in North Sumatra. The questionnaire survey using randomly selected households (n = 196) was administered in Tapanuli Utara regency from July to August 2014; followed by several field visits from August to September 2016. Obtained data were analysed with descriptive statistics and cross tabulation. The results indicate that fuelwood is a significant source of energy in the target area. For 31% of respondents it is the major energy source and for 64% it is a supplementary source. The high rate of use of wood as fuel corresponds to the poor financial situation of respondents and the easy accessibility of wood, but only from the surrounding area (own garden or adjacent land). Wood resources are often very distant (on average over 1,000 metres) as a consequence of high deforestation. This study reveals that there is a non-sustainable trend of forest conversion resulting in high land degradation in Tapanuli Utara regency.

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1782–1794 H. Roubík, J. Mazancová, R.C. Situmeang, A. Brunerová and T.M. Simatupang
Livestock manure management practices in rural households in Tapanuli Utara regency of North Sumatra
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Livestock manure management practices in rural households in Tapanuli Utara regency of North Sumatra

H. Roubík¹, J. Mazancová¹*, R.C. Situmeang², A. Brunerová³ and T.M. Simatupang²

¹Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Department of Sustainable Technologies, Kamýcká 129, CZ 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
²Del Institute of Technology, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Department of Engineering Management, Kabupaten Toba Samosir, Sumatera Utara ID 22381, Indonesia
³Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Material Science and Manufacturing Technology, Kamýcká 129, CZ 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
*Corresponding author: mazan@ftz.czu.cz

Abstract:

Livestock manure management is a big challenge for low income economies including the region of North Sumatra, Indonesia. Currently, low percentages of manure managed cause illegal disposals, and negative impacts on public health and environment. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the current trends among livestock manure management practices in rural households and to recognize potential problems with it. The questionnaire survey using randomly selected households (n = 196) was administered in the province of North Sumatra, Tapanuli Utara regency, from July to August 2014; then followed by several field visits from August to September 2016. Data obtained in the survey were analysed with descriptive statistics and cross tabulation. Majority (81%) of rural households handle manure in the process of either composting (75%) or sun-drying (6%). Remaining 6% of the respondents does not handle manure at all. Manure could represent valuable energy and plant nutrition resource, if used appropriately. However, if not handled at all or handled inappropriately, it can lead to the environmental problems. Our results revealed that current ways of stabling of livestock are inappropriate from the environmental perspective. The stabling has got only dusty earthen floor, which makes difficult for farmers wash out the excrements and pollution. Hence, there is a need to improve manure management practice to eliminate potential threats as current practices do not protect either humans, animals or environment against the risk of contamination with potential zoonotic pathogens.

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