Participatory Strategy in Achieving Eco-Efficiency through the Application of Technology in Conservation Area Management and Educational Tourism: Case Study of Forest Farmer Group in Panderman District, Batu City

Abstract

This agricultural transition highlights the need to shift conventional agricultural practices towards models that are more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and have a positive impact on human well-being as well as the natural environment. The purpose of this study is identify partisipatory strategies to realize eco-efficiency in the management of conservation areas and educational tourism in the Covid-19 era in the conservation model area and panderman educational tourism, Batu District, Batu City. The study was carried out at the Panderman Farmer Group in Oro-Oro Ombo Village, Batu District, Batu City, East Java Province. In this study, the method used involved expert focus group discussions by applying SWOT techniques. The qualitative data analysis processing technique used in this study is an analysis technique using brainstorming from forum group discussion. In identifying an information source the Snowball technique. The researcher will conduct interviews with one informant, representing 33% of the community members engaged in community empowerment activities. The results of the assessment and mapping that have been carried out show that the empowerment model analysis lies in quadrant or strategy I, which is the Aggressive Strategy. There are six strategies that can be used in community participation strategies to realize eco efficiency in conservation area management and educational tourism, including: (a) The existence of mutual aid within the group so as to support the institution as a forum for agricultural and livestock land management activities for group members and surrounding residents, (b) 10 ha of land borrowed from the village there are various kinds of vegetation both annual plants and annuals that can be useful for conservation land so that it can support the preservation of nature, (c) Cooperation with external parties such as offices and educational institutions is expected to prevent the waning of motivation of group members, (d) Become an institution as a forum for agricultural and livestock land management activities for group members and surrounding residents who can increase the knowledge of group members who are still low, (e)The existence of attraction for tourists / visitors is expected to be the attention of the government/stakeholders in overcoming the problem of unstable internet, (f) Although it is difficult to promote, do not be the cause of income that can only be sufficient for operational costs. In summary, there are four indicators—Strengths at 3.16 and Opportunities at 3.86—with neutral values, indicating that informants maintain a neutral perspective on the strengths and opportunities outlined in the indicators. Specifically, informants are indifferent towards mutual cooperation within the group for supporting agricultural and livestock land management institutions, as well as the 10 hectares of borrowed land from the village, which holds diverse vegetation beneficial for conservation and nature sustainability. The informants' neutrality towards mutual aid within the group suggests a potential lack of conviction in its effectiveness, highlighting a need to enhance awareness or involvement in such activities. Similarly, their neutral stance on the 10 hectares of land and the variety of vegetation may imply a lack of understanding or uncertainty about optimizing these resources for nature conservation. In contrast, the Weaknesses and Threats indicators display successive results of 3.27 and 2.43.