The Contest Between the Roles of Local Understanding and Scientific Knowledge in Cacao Cultivation

This study aims to describe the apparent contest between local knowledge and scientific knowledge in Cacao farming. This research was conducted from June 2016 to December 2016 in Penanggosi village, Lambandia sub-district of East Kolaka regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province. In-depth interviews regarding cacao cultivation practices were carried out in order to collect various reasons that farmers accept or refuse to implement scientific knowledge which was recommended through government extension officers. The research results which pointed out the pattern of contest between local knowledge and scientific knowledge on cacao cultivation has given birth to the three patterns of contest; Zero Sum Game, Coexistence and Hybridization pattern. The Zero Sum Game pattern can be found in land preparation, shade planting, spacing and size of planting hole as well as control of pest / disease. The pattern of Coexistence took place regarding aspects of planting material and nursery, pruning and maintaining good garden health. Hybridization pattern occurs in planting, fertilizing and harvesting. Farmers tend to retain some of the local knowledge practices due to the various limitations. Some farmers do not have proper equipment or materials which they need to carry out recommendations of scientific knowledge. Other farmers claim that scientific knowledge requires additional cost to implement. In addition, the reason farmers maintain and retain local knowledge is they consider it more appropriate to the environment of their hilly garden. The government needs to prepare comprehensive information which can be useful for farmers. In addition, government should provide additional equipment such as tools for pruning in a way which entices farmers. Truly close collaboration between scientists and farmers should mean that strengths and weaknesses of both sources of knowledge become a thing of the past.