Two ministries align steps to empower farmers with social forestry

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Manpower have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on empowering Indonesian farmers in forest areas under the social forestry program.

"This MoU is expected to create job opportunities and help empower farmers operating in forest areas," Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni stated in a press release on Saturday.

Following the signing ceremony in Jakarta on Friday (April 11), Minister Antoni explained that the agreement lays the foundation for both ministries to broaden farmers’ access to the agricultural potential of Indonesian forests.

“To date, we have opened access to 8.3 million hectares of forest land for farmers to utilize,” he remarked, adding that the government aims to expand this access by an additional seven million hectares.

Antoni emphasized that the Ministry of Manpower would organize capacity-building activities for farmers to support the effective implementation of the social forestry initiative.

He further stated that the Forestry Ministry plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Social Affairs and the National Land Agency (BPN) to identify poverty hotspots in forest-associated areas.

This cross-sectoral effort aims to contribute to poverty alleviation and guide farmers in the sustainable use of forest resources.

Antoni also highlighted the Red and White Cooperatives program, introduced by President Prabowo Subianto, noting that the Forestry Ministry aims to transform social forestry business groups into cooperatives.

Manpower Minister Yassierli echoed similar sentiments, stating that the MoU is designed to enhance employment opportunities and farmer empowerment in forest regions.

“Our ministries have a highly strategic role in achieving this goal,” he affirmed.

He added that the Ministry of Forestry would continue mapping and preparing forest areas and identifying their agroforestry potential, while the Ministry of Manpower would focus on building farmers’ skills.