Leucaena for erosion control and green manure in Sikka.

Abstract

Sikka district, on the island of Flores, is small, densely populated, dry, and eroded. Since 1973, its people have successfully planted Leucaena leucocephala for erosion control and green manure. Lamtoro biasa is a local term used for the Hawaiian-type leucaena which is sown to create hedgerows for terraces to control erosion. The Hawaiian giant varieties on the other hand are planted out on the flat areas of bench terraces. More than 2.0 × 10⁴ ha of hilly lands have been terraced, and more than 2 million Hawaiian giants planted. On these terraced lands, perennial crops, such as cocoa, cloves, pepper, etc., are under cultivation.