Digital Pranata Mangsa Strengthens Forest Management and Climate Resilience in Rural Java
A team of Indonesian researchers has shown that combining the traditional Javanese seasonal calendar, Pranata Mangsa, with digital climate technology can significantly strengthen forest management and help rural communities adapt to climate change. The study was conducted by M. Adik Rudiyanto, Wuwuh Asrining Puri, and Nuril Ahmad from Universitas Islam Majapahit, together with Achmad Yani from LMDH Wana Mitra Sejahtera and Mohammad Arja Bahaudin from Universitas Negeri Surabaya. The findings were published in 2026 in the International Journal of Advanced Technology and Social Sciences (IJATSS) and highlight a practical pathway for integrating local knowledge with modern environmental governance.
The research matters because climate change has increasingly disrupted seasonal patterns across Indonesia, placing farmers and forest-dependent communities at greater risk of crop failure, forest degradation, and hydrometeorological disasters such as floods and droughts. By modernizing Pranata Mangsa through digital tools, the researchers demonstrate that cultural heritage can become a strategic asset rather than an obstacle in climate adaptation.
Why Seasonal Knowledge Still Matters
For generations, Javanese farmers have relied on Pranata Mangsa to determine planting schedules, harvesting periods, and forest use based on natural signs such as rainfall, wind direction, soil conditions, and animal behavior. This traditional system provided ecological guidance long before the availability of meteorological instruments.
Today, however, climate variability has weakened the reliability of these natural indicators. Rainy seasons arrive late or end early, dry seasons extend longer than expected, and extreme weather events occur more frequently. As a result, many rural communities face uncertainty in agricultural planning and forest management.
The researchers argue that abandoning traditional knowledge is not the solution. Instead, they show that strengthening it with scientific data and digital technology can restore its relevance in a rapidly changing climate.
How the Research Was Conducted
The study was carried out in Lebak Jabung Village, Mojokerto, East Java, within the community forest management group LMDH Wana Mitra Sejahtera. This area was selected because local livelihoods depend heavily on both agriculture and forest resources.
Using a qualitative case study approach, the researchers collected data through:
-in-depth interviews with farmers and forest managers,
-participatory observation of seasonal practices, and
-documentation of community-based forest activities.
The analysis focused on how traditional seasonal knowledge could be translated into a digital ecological education module. This module integrates Pranata Mangsa with climate data, geographic mapping, and simple digital interfaces that can be understood and used by local communities.
Turning Pranata Mangsa into a Digital Tool
The core innovation of the study lies in transforming Pranata Mangsa from an oral and symbolic tradition into a digital learning and decision-making system. The researchers developed an ecological education module that links traditional seasonal divisions with:
-rainfall and temperature data,
-local climate monitoring, and
-spatial information on land use and forest risk areas.
Rather than replacing tradition, the system aligns traditional seasonal markers with modern climate indicators. Farmers can still recognize familiar seasonal terms while gaining access to updated information that reflects current environmental conditions.
Key Findings from the Study
The researchers identified several important outcomes from the integration of traditional and digital knowledge:
-Improved ecological awareness
Community members developed a stronger understanding of how climate change affects forests, water systems, and agriculture. This awareness encouraged more sustainable land-use decisions.
-Stronger community participation
Forest management became more collaborative. Local residents were more actively involved in monitoring forest conditions and discussing seasonal risks together.
-Increased resilience to climate risks
By aligning traditional seasonal knowledge with real-time data, farmers were better prepared for floods, droughts, and shifting planting seasons.
According to Nuril Ahmad of Universitas Islam Majapahit, the findings show that “local ecological knowledge becomes more powerful when it is connected to scientific data that communities can understand and trust.”
Real-World Impact for Farmers and Forests
The digital Pranata Mangsa model offers direct benefits for rural communities. Farmers can plan planting and harvesting more accurately, reducing losses caused by unpredictable weather. Forest managers can identify high-risk periods for fires, floods, or land degradation and take preventive action earlier.
Beyond Mojokerto, the model has broader relevance for other regions in Indonesia and Southeast Asia where indigenous or local seasonal knowledge remains strong. The approach demonstrates that climate adaptation strategies do not need to be imported wholesale from outside contexts but can grow from local traditions supported by technology.
Implications for Policy and Education
The study carries important implications for policymakers and educators. Integrating traditional knowledge into digital environmental education can strengthen climate adaptation without alienating local communities. The researchers suggest that government agencies and educational institutions could adopt similar models for:
-community-based climate education,
-participatory forest governance, and
-disaster risk reduction programs.
By recognizing traditional knowledge as a legitimate foundation for innovation, policy frameworks can become more inclusive and effective.
Author Profile
M. Adik Rudiyanto, M.Pd.
Lecturer at Universitas Islam Majapahit. Expertise in environmental education and local wisdom.
Wuwuh Asrining Puri, M.Si.
Lecturer at Universitas Islam Majapahit. Specializes in ecology and participatory learning.
Nuril Ahmad, M.Si.
Lecturer at Universitas Islam Majapahit. Focuses on ecological adaptation and traditional seasonal systems.
Achmad Yani
Community practitioner at LMDH Wana Mitra Sejahtera, Mojokerto. Expertise in community-based forest management.
Mohammad Arja Bahaudin, M.Pd.
Lecturer at Universitas Negeri Surabaya. Specialist in educational technology and learning innovation.
Source
Rudiyanto, M. A., Puri, W. A., Ahmad, N., Yani, A., & Bahaudin, M. A. (2026).
Transformation of Seasonal Institutions: Innovation of Ecological Education Modules for Sustainable Forest Management and Mitigation of Hydrometeorological Disaster Risks.
International Journal of Advanced Technology and Social Sciences (IJATSS), 4(1), 1705–1720.
DOI: 10.59890/ijatss.v4i1.155
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