“We can aim for one million jobs in the forestry sector within the next three to four years,” Minister Yassierli said in Bandung, West Java, on Tuesday.
To achieve this goal, he emphasized the need for collective efforts from relevant stakeholders, particularly in enhancing the quality and competence of human resources.
One of the key initiatives by the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Forestry is the implementation of training programs focused on green jobs.
These include agroforestry, social forestry, and the application of modern forestry and agricultural technologies.
Yassierli noted that agroforestry holds significant potential for job creation while simultaneously utilizing forests as sources of food, energy, and water to support community welfare—aligning with President Prabowo Subianto’s Astacita vision.
Yassierli, who also serves as a professor at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), stated that the agroforestry training program has now entered its third phase.
The program currently involves 388 participants, including graduates of the State Forestry Vocational School (SMKKN), village youth, and residents from Serang, Medan, Padang, Majalengka, and West Bandung District.
“We will strengthen this program and develop its ecosystem and business model. There will also be processing and downstreaming, which will undoubtedly have a significant impact. Ultimately, it comes down to work ethic—we will be more productive if we manage agroforestry and social forestry efficiently,” he said.
He encouraged participants to make the most of the training by expanding their networks and sharpening their skills to stay relevant in the evolving job market.
“We will continue developing the ecosystem, which will eventually include offtakers to receive and purchase agricultural products from agroforestry and social forestry for further processing,” he added.
Translator: Arnidhya Nur Zhafira, Martha Herlinawati Simanjunt
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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