Jangkat is one of sub districts in Merangin regency which is adjacent to Kerinci Seblat National Park (TNKS). Its located on the western part of Jambi province and directly bounded with Bengkulu province. Mount Masurai has made the surrounding land fertile and the most types of soil in Jangkat are andosols, whereas farmers here rely it on their livelihoods. As time goes by, due to the green revolution program of new order government the fertile land now is getting critical, and the population growth in Jangkat has increased as a result the community come to occupy the area of Kerinci Seblat National Park.

Mitra Aksi was aware this as a danger sign, the alarm has been already ringing continuosly. However, a real acion should be done in order to stop the dangers that threaten Kerinci Seblat landscape, one of them is the rehabilitation of critical land and an integrated organic farming system funded by TFCA-S. Through Pundi Sumatra’s data as the facilitator for the central and southern regions, it was found that around 1076.32 ha of critical land has been rehabilitated, and 2193.12 ha of integrated organic farming areas which spread over to 6 villages, namely: Muara Madras, Pulau Tengah, Renah Alai , Koto Renah, Renah Pelaan, and Koto Rawang.

Thus, this organic farming aims to against the negative impact of the green revolution program that has taken root in agricultural land in Indonesia. The excessive use of chemical fertilizers has damaged the soil nutrients. Besides, the use of pesticides has also destroyed the ecosystem because they are certainly not selective in eradicating pests. So that every insect or small animal that lives in agricultural area will die, although not all of them are destructive. Only some parts that actually help farmers in the pollination process and fight the pests which destroying plant.

In applying this organic farming, Mitra Aksi held a field school which was attended by 25 farmer groups consisting of 1,537 farmers from the 6 villages mentioned above. From the field school, there were currently around 40 farmers categorized as expert farmers, where the expert farmers have been able to assist their groups in making the organic fertilizers and bio pesticides. When covid-19 happened and isolated the field facilitator not to enter the six (6) assisted villages, this good chance taken by the expert farmers. So, they took over the assistance to farmer groups in applying the organic farming system by keeping in touch through gadget with Mitra Aksi‘s field facilitator. Of course, this potential activity is useful for the progam sustainability. Although the assistance by Mitra Aksi ended, the expert farmers who had been trained availuable to apply the organic farming system with the knowledge that acquired in the field school.

Using organic fertilizers will be very helpful in restoring nutrients in the soil, so that previously critical land can be replanted. The usage of bio pesticides will also restore the ecosystem in agricultural areas as farmers can be more selective in eradicating plant pests. Costs can also be saved because the manufacture of organic fertilizers is much cheaper than buying chemical fertilizers. As Mr. Roma’s experinece (42 years old), an expert farmer from Renah Alai village, in one chili season Pak Roma can save the cost around 8 to 10 million. This organic farming can clearly reduce the production costs during cultivation and the result become the better harvest, natural and free of chemicals. In addition, with the initiative of Mitra Aksi partners in assisting farmers, it is expected that they can maximize the existing cultivated land, and it is not necessary to open new land on the grounds with the reason their old land is no longer productive. So, the pressure on the Kerinci Seblat National Park area can be controlled.