Silvikultur Pandanus conoideus Lam. Berbasis Pengetahuan Lokal: Kontribusinya terhadap Ketahanan Pangan dan Adaptasi Perubahan Iklim di Papua

Abstract

Red fruit (Pandanus conoideus Lam.) is an indigenous food species in Papua with nutritional, cultural, and livelihood importance, yet its local silvicultural management and contribution to climate resilience remain poorly documented. This study characterised local knowledge-based silvicultural practices in Hingk Village, Manokwari, and examined farmers’ perceptions of climate-related production changes. A descriptive mixed-methods approach combined field observations with interviews involving 20 red fruit farmers. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative information was interpreted thematically. Red fruit was predominantly propagated vegetatively using 30–80 cm shoots, planted at approximately 2–4 m spacing, and managed with low external inputs, principally manual weeding without synthetic fertilisers. Plants generally began fruiting 4–6 years after planting and produced approximately 1–5 fruits per plant annually, with individual fruits weighing 3–10 kg. Sixty-five per cent of respondents reported changes in fruiting periods, yield stability, or production patterns associated with increasing climate variability. Integrating red fruit into mixed agroforestry systems may diversify production, reduce dependence on external inputs, and strengthen household adaptive capacity. These findings identify local silvicultural knowledge as a valuable foundation for climate-resilient food systems in Papua and support its integration with scientific research, improved planting materials, and locally appropriate extension services.