Utilising Permaculture to Develop Abandoned Waqf Land in Resolving Food Insecurity in Indonesia

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the potentials of permaculture in developing abandoned waqf land to resolve the challenges of food insecurity. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses data collected from primary sources such as Quran and Hadith, and secondary sources from books, articles, journals, web sites and e-books. Findings – Waqf lands, in general, are still managed by traditional methods and bound to limited purposes, such as mosques, graveyards, and madrasah. Based on collected data, many waqf lands are abandoned and unproductive. However, waqf lands have many great potentials if managed and utilised productively. Waqf managers and trustees should be able to enhance productivity of waqf lands for numerous purposes, such as business centres, markets, hotels, housing and agricultural projects. This paper explores the roles of permaculture in developing abandoned waqf lands in Indonesia and highlights the importance of agriculture from the Islamic perspective. Regenerative strategic solutions for food insecurity are designed by analysing significant potentials of waqf land redevelopment via permaculture. Practical implications - The expected outcome of this paper is to encourage the farmer and agriculture enthusiast to work with permaculture concept and researchers to explore the potential of permaculture or other regenerative method of agriculture to develop and revive the abandoned or idle waqf lands to overcome food insecurity.