Forest, sawah, and culture: Civilization of food sovereignty by Semende communities at South Sumatra

Food sovereignty is the aspiration of many parties and the vision of the Government of Indonesia. Making new fields (sawah), building and repairing irrigation, and provide incentives for the cultivation of food crops is the program being run by the government. On the other hand, the facts show that the conversion of sawah to other uses still exists in many places and cannot be prevented. However, Semende communities living in the upland of South Sumatra to show different performance; they tried to maintain the tradition of sawah at the time of changes in knowledge and the growing population. This study aims to understand and explain the success of the Semende communities in achieving food sovereignty. Research questions answered by qualitative research methods, especially through ethnographic notes concerning sawah management practices by Semende communities. The results showed that the preservation sawah closely related to tunggu tubang tradition and the social conventions of the existence of forests in the upstream region. Sustainability of sawah is the result of consistency and belief of Semende people about important value of sawah as cultural identity and basic capital of the household economy. These beliefs bring forth innovative attitude to maintain the existence of sawah. Therefore, the construction of physical infrastructure to achieve food sovereignty must be accompanied by socio-anthropological approach to the lives of farmers and forest control in the upstream region of sawah by community groups.