Central Sulawesi Forestry Agency Provides Production Equipment to Social Forestry and Forest Farmer Groups through the RBP GCF REDD+ Program

Committed to enhancing the economic value of forests through Social Forestry, the Central Sulawesi Provincial Forestry Agency, in collaboration with Forest Management Units (FMUs), has provided production equipment to 31 Social Forestry Groups (KPS) and 27 non-Social Forestry Forest Farmer Groups (KTH Non-PS) supported by FMUs across 13 districts. The assistance consists of production equipment to strengthen forest- and non-timber forest product-based livelihoods.

The assistance was symbolically handed over by Ir. Susanto Wibowo, S.Hut., M.Si., IPU, Head of the Central Sulawesi Provincial Forestry Agency, to the Kakafu and Pala Forest Farmer Groups (KTH), as well as the Bambu Kuning and Tunas Hijau Forest Farmer Groups, at the Banawa Lalundu Forest Management Unit Office.

“We hope this assistance will be utilized effectively to improve community livelihoods by supporting the development of forest and non-forest products,” he said.

Imran, Head of the Kakafu Forest Farmer Group, explained that the support would significantly improve the quality and value of candlenut production.

“Previously, we harvested and sold candlenuts directly for IDR 7,000–8,000 per kilogram. With the new candlenut shelling machine, the selling price can increase to around IDR 15,000–20,000 per kilogram,” he explained.

A similar response came from Rafiqa, a member of the Bambu Kuning Forest Farmer Group, who develops nutmeg-based products. She emphasized that the assistance also creates greater economic opportunities for women.

“Previously, nutmeg was only harvested and dried. With the nutmeg shelling machine, we can process it into candied nutmeg and sell it directly to the market without relying on middlemen,” she said.

To ensure that the assistance reached the intended beneficiaries, Social Forestry and Forest Farmer Group facilitators in each FMU conducted an identification process. Recipient groups were selected based on clear criteria, including being active groups with established business products. This assessment ensured that the equipment was distributed to groups with genuine needs and strong potential for business development.

According to Edy Wicaksono, Project Manager of the RBP GCF REDD+ Program, providing production equipment is part of a broader effort to strengthen Social Forestry and promote sustainable forest management while improving community livelihoods.

“Before providing production equipment, the program had already supported Social Forestry groups through boundary demarcation, resource inventories, business work plan preparation, business partnership development, and capacity-building activities,” he explained.

Following the symbolic handover, the equipment will be delivered directly by vendors to each recipient group in their respective locations under the supervision of the relevant FMU Head or representative. The handover process will be documented through official handover reports.

The supported groups represent a wide range of community enterprises, including rattan, bamboo and forest pandan weaving, honey production, coffee, cassava, coconut, candlenut, nutmeg, cloves, and livestock farming.