Cultural integration of smallholder pig farming among the dayak community in Lamandau district, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Pig farming holds profound economic and cultural significance for Dayak communities in Lamandau Regency, CentralKalimantan, where pigs serve not only as a source of income but also as a key element of traditional ceremonies andsocial exchange. This study investigates the integration of Dayak cultural practices with smallholder pig production todevelop a sustainable farming model that balances economic viability with cultural preservation. A mixed methodsapproach was applied, combining quantitative household surveys (n = 60) to assess production costs, income, andprofitability with qualitative interviews, field observations, and secondary data analysis to explore cultural meaningsand management practices. Results show that smallholder farms are typically low-input systems with herd sizes of 3–15pigs, average annual production costs of USD 1,170, and feed expenses accounting for 66.7% of total costs. Despitethese constraints, profitability remains positive with a mean Revenue–Cost ratio of 1.67, driven by steady local demandand premium prices in ceremonial markets. Pigs function as both cultural capital and economic assets, underpinninghousehold resilience but also creating production trade-offs as farmers prioritize ritual needs over market sales. Keychallenges include high feed costs, limited veterinary services, and emerging disease risks such as African Swine Fever.Sustainable development pathways identified include the promotion of locally sourced feed, community-based breeding,and culturally aligned animal health interventions. The findings underscore the need for development strategies thatintegrate technical interventions interventions with indigenous knowledge, offering policy insights for culturally groundedlivestock development in tropical rural contexts.