Minister of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia Siti Nurbaya officially opened the AP2SI Social Forestry Festival on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Padusan Village, Mojokerto Regency, East Java Province. The opening began with the handover of products from AP2SI-assisted Social Forestry Groups.
These managers are Social Forestry Groups originating from 18 Provinces and have so far gained access and management in forest areas and utilized social forestry areas to support the environment, society and economy.
Siti emphasized that Social Forestry is not only the Ministry of Environment and Forestry's business. There are BUMN Banking, industry, even ministries and institutions other than the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The goal is economic improvement, conflict resolution, overcoming damage and environmental improvement.
"I am amazed to see AP2SI-assisted KUPS that have met the Gold criteria, some even Platinum. This means that it is already an export market. Social Forestry increases the community's economy," said Siti.
Kasino, the Head of AP2SI Riau, said that Social Forestry is an effort to increase the economy and protect the environment. In the Merandi Islands Regency, KPS assisted by AP2SI Riau manages sago that grows together with forest plants that keep the peat wet. It just needs assistance to increase the current sago production.
"Sago in Social Forestry has been managed by the community for a long time, but capital and market are still limited. KPS already has KUPS but is limited to capital. The hope is that through AP2SI it can improve the community's economy," said Kasino.
The AP2SI Social Forestry Festival will take place from 23-26 May 2023 as part of the agenda of AP2SI's first national conference.
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