Terobosan Penting! Agroforestry Tebu Mandiri dalam Rangka Dukung Program Ketahanan Pangan

Summary

The agroforestry project in Jombang, East Java, is a government-backed initiative aimed at promoting sugar self-sufficiency (Swasembada gula) while fostering ecological balance and supporting local communities. Managed by Perhutani in collaboration with local forestry organizations, the project cultivates sugarcane on non-productive forest land, integrating agricultural and forestry practices. It empowers local farmers, creates jobs, and contributes significantly to the national economy by generating substantial revenue from sugarcane sales. Additionally, it strengthens community welfare through programs like livestock assistance. This initiative plays a vital role in Indonesia's food security strategy and sustainable land management efforts.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Indonesian government has launched a National Food Security Program, with KPH Jombang in East Java selected as a pilot location for sugar self-sufficiency efforts through agroforestry.
• 😀 KPH Jombang collaborates with local forest community organizations (LMDH) to develop a sugarcane agroforestry project, aiming to support national food security and sugar self-sufficiency.
• 😀 The project focuses on transforming unproductive forest land into agroforestry sites, where sugarcane is planted alongside forest conservation efforts.
• 😀 The concept of agroforestry integrates forestry and agriculture, maintaining forest cover while growing agricultural crops like sugarcane.
• 😀 Local communities, organized through LMDH, play a key role in managing the sugarcane planting, from seedling handling to planting, maintenance, and harvesting.
• 😀 The agroforestry project in KPH Jombang provides significant economic benefits, generating job opportunities for local community members, with each hectare requiring about 7.2 million IDR for labor.
• 😀 To implement the agroforestry project, revisions were made to the RPKH (Forest Management Plan), which originally did not include sugarcane planting but was updated to include non-productive areas.
• 😀 Only 49% of the revised forest land is designated for sugarcane cultivation, with the remaining 51% reserved for maintaining forest ecology.
• 😀 The sugarcane harvested is sold to PTPN, with a buying price of 60,000 IDR per quintal, supporting both the local economy and national food security.
• 😀 Perhutani also supports local communities by providing productive livestock (goat farming) assistance, aimed at improving local welfare and ensuring the participation of local farmers in the agroforestry initiative.

Q & A

What is the role of KPH Jombang in Indonesia's national food security program?

KPH Jombang was chosen as one of the pilot project locations for the development of agroforestry with independent sugarcane farming. This program supports the national food security initiative, particularly aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production.

How does the collaboration between Perhutani, KPH Jombang, and local communities work?

Perhutani collaborates with local community organizations, such as LMDH (Forest Village Community Organization), to manage agricultural land. LMDH members contribute labor for activities like seedling preparation, planting, and maintenance, benefiting both the community and the environment.

What is agroforestry, and how is it applied in KPH Jombang?

Agroforestry is a land-use system that integrates trees and crops on the same land. In KPH Jombang, it combines sugarcane cultivation with forest management, ensuring that 51% of the land remains forested to preserve ecological balance while cultivating sugarcane on the other 49%.

What ecological concerns are addressed by the agroforestry program in KPH Jombang?

The agroforestry program ensures ecological sustainability by maintaining a portion of the land as forest, which helps prevent environmental degradation. The goal is to balance agricultural production with forest conservation, addressing issues such as soil erosion and loss of biodiversity.

Why was a revision of the RPKH (Forest Management Plan) necessary for the agroforestry program?

The RPKH was revised because the land was initially not designated for sugarcane farming. Previous attempts at planting eucalyptus had failed due to unsuitable conditions and lack of community engagement. The revision allowed for the introduction of agroforestry to better utilize the land.

What is the significance of LMDH's involvement in the agroforestry program?

LMDH's involvement is crucial as they provide the local workforce for activities such as planting, seed sorting, and maintenance. By engaging local communities, the program creates jobs and improves livelihoods while also ensuring the success of the agroforestry system.

How does the sale of sugarcane contribute to the local economy?

The sale of sugarcane to PTPN (state-owned plantation companies) generates significant revenue. For example, sugarcane was sold for IDR 60,000 per quintal, which benefits both the farmers involved in the program and the broader local economy.

What additional support has been provided to local communities involved in the agroforestry program?

In addition to employment in the agroforestry activities, local communities have been provided with productive business assistance, such as goat farming. This initiative aims to improve their welfare and reduce the impact of relocation due to land use changes.

How does the agroforestry program align with Indonesia's broader food security goals?

The agroforestry program contributes to Indonesia's national food security by promoting self-sufficiency in sugar production. By increasing local sugar production, the program supports the government's effort to reduce sugar imports and stabilize the national sugar supply.

What are the expected long-term impacts of the agroforestry project in KPH Jombang?

The long-term impacts include improved environmental sustainability, economic growth for local communities, and increased national sugar production. The project aims to create a model for sustainable agroforestry that can be replicated in other regions to support food security and forest conservation.