Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government has encouraged the planting of more Macadamia trees based on their benefits of rehabilitating forest areas and becoming a new source of income for the community.

The flowering plant, belonging to the Family Proteaceae and native to Queensland in Australia, has been planted near Lake Toba, North Sumatra.

"This plant can withstand soil erosion and is resistant to fire. Its fruit can be consumed by the community and has high economic value," Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Darmin Nasution noted in a statement, Thursday.

Nasution made the remark during a speech at the inauguration of the Development of Macadamia in the Framework of Forest and Land Rehabilitation in 2019 in Huta Ginjang Village, North Tapanuli District, North Sumatra.

Nasution highlighted the benefits offered by Macadamia integrifolia in the form of forest and land rehabilitation. It can also be a substitute for horticulture plants since it can prevent soil erosion and environmental damage.

A six-year-old plant can produce Macadamia nuts that hold promising income potential, from Rp200 million to Rp1 billion per hectare.

On the occasion, the minister also highlighted the important role of forests and trees in maintaining the balance of life on earth and preventing natural disasters from harming the environment.

"Every tree can be a solution to preventing natural disasters, such as landslides, floods, and droughts. Hence, planting trees is a real contribution to improving the environment," he affirmed.

After delivering a speech, Nasution, accompanied by Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar, handed out awards to state-owned enterprises (BUMN), private-owned enterprises (BUMS), and community leaders engaged in forest and land rehabilitation efforts.

Thereafter, Macademia seeds were symbolically handed over to the surrounding community.

North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi, regents of the Lake Toba Region, environmental activists, and local leaders attended the event, also held to commemorate World Drought and Degradation Mitigation Day. Related news: C Kalimantan deploys 750 personnel to prevent forest fires
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Translator: Yashinta Difa Pramudyani
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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