Karak Apung Village's Independent Floating Farmers Group: Building Independence through Social Forestry

Karak Apung Village, located in Bungo Regency, Jambi Province, is a clear example of the successful implementation of the Social Forestry program. Through the Apung Mandiri Farmers Group (Gapoktan), the local community is gradually building economic independence and preserving the environment through forest and land rehabilitation (RHL)-based agricultural activities.

The majority of Gapoktan Apung Mandiri members depend on fruit crops such as coconut, durian, areca nut, and avocado for their livelihoods. These commodities are not only their primary source of income but also part of a sustainable agricultural strategy that the community continues to develop amidst land dynamics and limited access.

The RHL activities carried out in this village are part of the Bungo KPHP program and are conducted in an area classified as transmigration land and within the Social Forestry area. In accordance with the provisions of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), support provided through the Social Forestry scheme is limited to the provision of plant seedlings, without covering the costs of the planting process.

The community's planting efforts were also carried out strategically. Initially, some of the land was planned to be converted to oil palm plantations, but the plan encountered technical challenges. Oil palm and rubber plants are known to compete for nutrients, which can ultimately reduce the productivity of both crops. As a solution, the community decided to intersperse the planting with fruit trees, thus maintaining plant diversity and land productivity.

The journey to recognition of management rights through the Social Forestry scheme was not smooth. In 2019, the process experienced conflict with several upper-class community groups in Bungo Regency. However, through collective struggle and the appropriate legal approach, the Karak Apung community successfully defended their rights to the area.

The success in obtaining Social Forestry permits was also due to the innovative approach employed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in the Jambi region, namely the jareng gebol (joint, proactive, collaborative) method. This approach expedited the application process because officers went directly to the field, gathered the community, conducted outreach, assisted in the preparation of proposals, and carried out expeditious reviews and revisions. In this way, the time required to obtain a management permit is usually less than one year.

The Apung Mandiri Farmers Group (Gapoktan Apung Mandiri) is no longer just an ordinary farming group. They are a symbol of successful collaboration between the community, government, and nature. With a spirit of mutual cooperation and innovation in land management, the Karak Apung community has proven that environmentally friendly and sustainable agriculture is not a dream, but a reality that can be achieved together.

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KUPS Kopi Kelumbung: Bringing Local Coffee Potential from Villages to a Wider Market

Since its founding in 2022, the Kelumbung Coffee Social Forestry Business Group (KUPS) has been a key driver in developing the potential of local coffee in Kelumbung Village, Bungo Regency, Jambi. Formed on the initiative and under the guidance of Warsi and the Bungo Production Forest Management Unit (KPHP), the group has 15 members, consisting of women, men, and local youth who are passionate about developing coffee businesses in their area.

One of the main advantages of the Kelumbung Coffee KUPS is its coffee processing machine, currently the only modern coffee processing facility in the area. This machine is not only used for KUPS production needs but is also open to the general public who want to learn about the coffee processing process—from roasting to ready-to-drink coffee grounds. This approach creates an educational space while empowering the surrounding community to become more independent in managing their own produce.

The majority of the Kelumbung community owns coffee plantations, but is hampered by a lack of processing equipment. With the establishment of the KUPS, it is hoped that the coffee produced by the community can be optimally collected and processed into high-value products. This is a strategic step to increase community income and create a sustainable local coffee supply chain.

In carrying out its production activities, the Kelumbung Coffee KUPS prioritizes high-quality, selected coffee beans. The coffee produced is currently marketed to several cafes in Bungo Regency, which are beginning to recognize and appreciate the distinctive taste of Kelumbung coffee. Going forward, the KUPS aims to become not only a processor but also a distributor of coffee beans for the surrounding community, producing an average of 7 to 8 tons of coffee beans per harvest season.

However, the Kelumbung Coffee KUPS still faces several challenges. One urgent need is the construction of its own production facility. Currently, coffee processing is carried out in the private home of one member, which also houses children. This undoubtedly impacts the effectiveness and comfort of the production process. By having a proper production house, KUPS is expected to be able to increase processing capacity and maintain the quality of the products produced.

The KUPS Kopi Kelumbung (Indonesian Coffee Association) is a living example of how managing forest products through a social forestry approach can foster community economic independence. With the right support, this group has great potential to become a driving force for the local economy, while simultaneously preserving the sustainability of the forest and coffee culture in the region.

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Meeting to discuss the results of calculating the accuracy value of land cover change data for Jambi Province

Meeting to discuss the results of calculating the accuracy value of land cover change data for Jambi Province
Held by Team MAR BioCF-ISFL Jambi on 6 to 8 May 2024

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Completion of the Draft Monev Plan Document for 2024

In order to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Jambi Sustainable Landscape Management Project (JSLMP) BioCF-ISFL Program activities in Jambi Province in 2024 and follow up on the results of the FGD on the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (Monev Plan) for the 2024 Annual Work Plan, an FGD was carried out on Refining the Draft Monev Plan Document 2024 on Tuesday, March 26 2024.

Explained by Mas Rezky Syahrizal Yusuf as Monev Specialist Steps for Preparing Monitoring and Evaluation Plan Documents (Monev Plan)
1. Determine the objectives/scope of Monev
2. Understand the definitions and targets of indicators/outputs. Information is provided in the PAD
3. Build a strong (comprehensive) definition of the output
4. Collection of secondary and primary data (methods and tools)
5. Data analysis and reporting

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Discussion of the Latest Regional Regulations on CSR/TJSLBU Programs that Support the Development of Jambi Province and Reducing Emissions

Tuesday, March 26 2024, an FGD was held to discuss the latest regional regulations on CSR/TJSLBU programs that support the development of Jambi Province and reduce emissions.
Regulation of the Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Number 9 of 2020 concerning Social and Environmental Responsibility of Business Entities regulates the implementation of social and environmental responsibility obligations of business entities as a form of participation of Business Entities in sustainable social development
Social and Environmental Responsibility itself is a business entity's commitment to participate in sustainable social development in order to improve the quality of life and a beneficial environment, both for the business entity itself, the local community and society in general.
A business entity is an organizational unit that aims to make a profit and provide services to the community.
The Business Entity Social and Environmental Responsibility Forum, hereinafter referred to as the "Forum", is an institution that aims to optimize the commitment and role of Business Entities through the implementation of their social and environmental responsibilities.

Social and Environmental Responsibility of Business Entities (TJSLBU) is intended as a form of participation of Business Entities in sustainable social development and aims to:
1. Social problems are handled and those in need of Social Welfare Services are served;
2. Increasing the image and profits as well as maintaining the survival of the Business Entity.

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Technical Capacity Building Beneficiary Guide and ISFL BioCF Safeguard Guide

REDD+ (Reduction of Emissions From Deforestation and Defradation) is a reduction in emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Defirestation is a permanent change in land cover from forest to non-forest. The difference with forest degradation lies in the quantity and quality of forests, for example the quality of carbon stocks from previously 1 ton CO2 to 0.5 tons CO2 Plus (+) from REDD+, namely protection and conservation of carbon stocks in forests, sustainable forest management, and increasing carbon stocks. If REDD+ is successful, you will get a positive incentive called Result Based Payment, but the condition is that you have ensured environmental and social safeguards and have also created a national/regional strategy or action plan.
National has created a REDD+ strategy, one of which is the REDD+ Framework which contains 4 components, namely:
1. Implementation, carried out in forest cover and can be implemented nationally, government/private sector or community
2. REDD+ architecture, needs to create a national strategy and safeguards, forest monitoring and needs funding support from the APBN
3. Create an Information System to contain Safeguard
4. MOI as a means and infrastructure for implementing REDD+ requires technology, funding, increasing human resource capacity, and institutional support, rules, regulations and systems.
Points that are no less important are Non-Carbon Benefits in the form of conservation, protection of hydrological functions, protection of ecological functions, increasing community welfare, improving forest governance and protecting essential ecosystems (Geoparks).

Currently the BioCF Program is in the 4th year of Pre-Investment stage, and it is hoped that in 2025-2026 it will enter the RBP phase. In the RBP phase, all regencies/cities except Jambi City will be involved in this RBP scheme, so it is important for regencies/cities to understand the RBP so they can prepare everything.

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Monitoring and Evaluation of BioCF ISFL Activities in 2022 and 2023 in Rantau Kermas Village

Activities for Determining Prospective Farmers and Prospective Locations for Recipients of Cinnamon Seeds Ready for Planting in Merangin Regency Spice and Plantation Commodity Freshener (BioCF) Activities for the Jambi Provincial Plantation Service in Rantau Kermas Village, total planting location of 44 Ha. The number of seeds given to the community was 22,000 seeds with the type of seed, namely Cinnamon seeds ready for planting. Planting was carried out by 25 members of the farmer group, the distribution of seeds was adjusted to the size of the planting location.  Planting was also carried out according to the initial plan, namely planted between coffee plants, within a period of approximately one and a half years, the Cinnamon seedlings had grown to a height of approximately two meters.   

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Local Champion Sungai Lalang 2022

Received Assistance to Increase Farmers' Capacity in the form of Technical Guidance for Organic Fertilizer Processing and APPO Machines (Organic Fertilizer Cutter Tools) 
This farmer group has a sheep farm which produces manure as material for organic fertilizer. After receiving capacity building through PIU DTPHP regarding procedures for making good organic fertilizer using APPO machines, this farmer group is able to produce organic fertilizer that can be used for its own agricultural land so that it does not requires more chemical fertilizers and the vegetables become organic products.
Apart from that, the organic fertilizer produced by this farmer group is also sold to other farmers around Sei Lalang Village for IDR 60,000 / sack, thereby increasing the financial income of the Sumber Makmur farmer group.
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By reducing the use of chemical fertilizers, it is hoped that the carbon footprint on agricultural land can be reduced.

Sustainable agriculture is the implementation of the concept of sustainable development in the agricultural sector. The concept of sustainable agriculture relies on three pillars, namely economic, social and ecological.

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Monitoring and Evaluation of BioCF ISFL Activities in 2022 and 2023 in Muara Madras Village

Activities: Developing community model business development for alternative livelihoods, sub-activity planting, Forest and Land Rehabilitation in Muara Madras Village, the 50 Ha planting location is in the Bukit Muncung Gamut Protected Forest area. This activity has a positive impact on repairing, enhancing and maintaining the condition of the land so that it can function optimally, both as an element of production, supporting the community's economy and as a medium for regulating water management as well as an element of nature and environmental protection.
The number of seeds given to the community was 77,000 seeds with the types of seeds namely Cinnamon seeds, Petai seeds, Surian seeds, Bambang Lanang seeds, Durian seeds and Avocado seeds. Planting was carried out by 42 members of the farmer group, the distribution of seeds was adjusted to the size of the planting location.
The average percentage of living plants at each planting location is around ±70% and ±30% dead, namely Bambang Lanang seeds and Surian seeds. This is due to inappropriate planting time. Planting was carried out during El Nino, which triggered a decline in plant quality, the spread of pests and plant diseases.
Plant maintenance, including fertilizing plants using organic compost and replanting, thinning and weeding, will be carried out in the first semester of 2024.
Apart from that, access to the planting location is quite difficult, with only two-wheeled vehicles and dirt roads resulting in death and damage to the seeds during the transportation process to the planting location.

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FGD Implementation of Quality Assurance (QA) stage 2

In the framework of the Full Implementation of the BioCF-ISFL MAR System in 2024 regarding the reporting of Emission Reduction (ER) calculations and following up on the analysis meeting for calculating accuracy values ​​and identifying land cover change data in Jambi Province from 23 to 24 February 2024, a follow-up meeting was held for the MAR Division to complete the calculations value of accuracy and completion of land cover change data preparation in Jambi Province.

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