Who We Are
The Cikananga Wildlife Centre - Yayasan Cikananga Konservasi Terpadu (YCKT) is an NGO dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and habitat in Indonesia. YCKT assists with law enforcement, housing protected wildlife confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, and where possible, reintroducing animals back to the wild. We are based in Cikananga Village, Cisitu Village, Nyalindung District, Sukabumi Regency, Cisitu, West Java, Indonesia.
Since 2001, YCKT has assisted in the rescue and confiscation of animals confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade or those involved in human-wildlife conflicts. We work closely with species-specific conservation organizations across Indonesia and abroad to identify release sites following IUCN guidelines, where individuals can be transferred to and provide sanctuary to non-releasable individuals.
Our organization remains one of the main stakeholders in the conservation of 4 Critically Endangered species currently included in the programs of Cikananga Conservation Breeding Centre. Furthermore, the Rescue Centre is the only center that has facilities for wild Javan leopards (Panthera pardus melas), hornbill species, and otter species in Indonesia and is closely involved in their conservation activities.
In 2020, YCKT started producing our own organic food to improve the center's sustainability and animal welfare. All food grown on-site is given to the animals. Additionally, all organic waste is now being composted and used to support our new farming venture.
The farm team includes Suhendi, a local from the village of Cisantri and myself.
Our Project
The Farm began in March 2020 and was built using simple hand tools with the help of Cikanang's (YCKT) Keepers. Since starting the farm, we have trialed 24 varieties of vegetables with different degrees of success. To date, the farm has produced 1,300 kg of organic nutritiously dense food for the animals of YCKT.
In 2022, the farm plans to increase the size of our growing area, which will at least double our current farm, allowing us to provide the animals with greater diversity and abundance of fresh, local, organic, nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits.
In early February 2022, thanks to the work of two local farmers we were able to finish converting several rice paddies into raised beds. This new growing space will more than double our current production capacity.
Our next task will be amending the beds with compost, which we make on-site, and opening up the soil to add oxygen. Once those tasks are complete we can add plastic to our beds and begin planting. The addition of plastic really helps reduce the amount of time needed for weeding and helps maintain soil moisture retention.
Additionally, to improve our production rates and plant health, we want to build a small hoophouse/polytunnel and use it as our greenhouse for seed propagation. Once completed, the addition of a greenhouse will drastically cut the time between seed and harvest, because we will have plant starts ready to go, shortening the time between harvests by roughly 4 weeks.
Why it Matters
The majority of food provided to the animals comes from sources no longer considered fit for human consumption e.g., out-of-date produce from supermarkets. This food is collected three times a week and processed on-site, making sure the animals receive the best quality food available to us.
Our Farm project, especially now with our recent extension can have a real impact on the availability and nutrient quality of food we provide to our animals. Additionally, the farm has the capacity to become a Model Farm for people in the surrounding areas. Being able to demonstrate organic farming practices to local farmers has the capacity to encourage a change in mindset and land-use practices. A reduction in the amount of agroindustrial chemicals entering the environment could have a real positive impact on surrounding wildlife.
To make this happen, we are currently in partnership with reNature, "reNature utilizes the vast potential of Regenerative Agriculture in fighting today’s most pressing challenges, such as climate change, poverty, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity". Additionally, we have submitted a project to the Disney Conservation Fund to purchase scientific equipment, allowing us to collect data on the transition from agroindustrial practices to regenerative growing techniques.
For further information regarding our project with reNature, please check out this link: https://www.renature.co/projects/healing-the-matri...
How You Can Help
Currently, the farm relies entirely on external financial sources e.g., donation campaigns such as this. We are hoping that with the support raised from this campaign we will be able to fund the completion of our new farming area, greenhouse, and water irrigation system. If successful, it is our intention to start producing a small amount of food to sell locally. The sales made from this venture will go back into the farm removing the need for future online fundraising campaigns. We just need a little help to make this a reality and our farm, sustainable.
Thank you ever so much for any support you are able to provide.
