HKm Karya Setia Sumatera Barat

Summary

This video script highlights the success of community-based forest management in Pasaman, West Sumatra, through the HKM Karya Setia group. The initiative focuses on sustainable cultivation of Aren trees, with farmers producing palm sugar (gula aren) and brown sugar (gula semut). Supported by local government and UNDP, the project has enabled farmers to improve their livelihoods while preserving the environment. By blending traditional knowledge with modern practices, the group has expanded its markets, making a positive impact on the local economy and showcasing how community empowerment can drive both environmental and economic sustainability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pasaman Regency is located in West Sumatra, Indonesia, covering an area of 3,947.63 km² with a population of approximately 253,299 people.
• 🌱 The government of Pasaman, along with the West Sumatra provincial government, is working on forest management programs, including community-based forest management initiatives like Hutan Kemasyarakatan (HKM).
• 🌳 The HKM program has successfully implemented sustainable forest management, with 3,350 hectares currently managed by the local community.
• 🍃 The Simpang Tonang village, located in the Duokoto district, has many residents engaged in farming, particularly harvesting sap from aren trees (sugar palm).
• 🌾 The process of tapping aren sap involves tapping the trees multiple times a week, where the sap is collected and then processed into sugar after being boiled.
• 🍯 The primary product from aren sap is palm sugar (gula aren), which is processed into various forms, including brown sugar (gula semut), to be sold or consumed locally.
• 🌱 Besides sap, other parts of the aren tree are used, such as the fruit, which can be made into kolang kaling (a sweet dessert), and the stem, which is used for food and sago production.
• 🌍 The HKM group, Karya Setia, has been working on expanding aren cultivation and reforestation efforts with government support for land expansion and the planting of various tree species like mahogany and gaharu.
• 💡 Since its founding in 2011, Karya Setia has operated with 30 members, and they are seeing economic improvements due to increased production and access to larger markets.
• 🏪 The production of brown sugar (gula semut) has helped local farmers access broader markets, including supermarkets and hotels, significantly improving their income.
• 🌟 The group has been supported by various agencies like the Ministry of Forestry, UNDP, and the Pasaman Forestry Department, receiving both financial and technical assistance for their sustainability projects.

Q & A

What is the size of Pasaman Regency?

Pasaman Regency is located in the West Sumatra province and covers an area of 3,947.63 square kilometers.

What is the population of Pasaman Regency?

The population of Pasaman Regency is approximately 253,299 people.

What efforts are being made to maintain the forests in Pasaman?

The government of Pasaman Regency and the West Sumatra province are working together to implement community-based forest management programs, such as social forestry, to preserve the area's forests.

What is the significance of the community forest management program (HKM) in Pasaman?

The HKM program provides the local community with the authority and knowledge to manage their forests sustainably while maintaining forest health and benefiting economically, particularly through the cultivation of forest products like Aren (sugar palm).

What role does Aren play in the local economy?

Aren is a significant economic resource in Pasaman, with many people depending on it for their livelihood. The sap of the Aren tree is processed into palm sugar, and the fruit is used to make a traditional food called kolang-kaling.

How is Aren sap collected by farmers?

Farmers tap the Aren trees by striking the flower stems to encourage sap (Nira) flow. The sap is then collected in the morning and afternoon, processed, and boiled to make sugar.

How has the processing of Aren sap evolved in Pasaman?

Previously, Aren sap was sold in traditional markets. However, with the introduction of the HKM program, farmers now process the sap into a higher-value product, 'gula semut' (brown sugar), which is marketed in supermarkets and hotels.

What other products do the Aren trees provide besides sap?

Apart from sap, the Aren trees also provide fruit, which is used to make kolang-kaling, and the wood is used as a source of sago starch.

How has the HKM program helped the local farmers in Pasaman?

The HKM program has empowered farmers by giving them access to forest management training, the right to manage their forests, and support from the government, which has helped improve their economic situation, particularly through the production of higher-value products like gula semut.

What is the future outlook for the HKM program and the Aren farmers?

With continued support from the government and organizations like UNDP, the HKM program is expected to enhance the economic prosperity of the Aren farmers, improve forest management practices, and foster sustainable agricultural practices in the region.