"In addition, social forestry serves as an important instrument for resolving agrarian conflicts and preserving ecosystems," Head of the Ministry's Bureau of Public Relations and Foreign Cooperation Ristianto Pribadi said here on Friday.
He explained that the ministry's 2026 social forestry development targets are aligned with the Social Forestry Roadmap 2025-2029, which was recently launched in Lebak, Banten.
Under the roadmap, the ministry aims to provide legal access to 60 thousand hectares of forest land for community groups nationwide in 2026.
"Our current focus also includes demarcating the boundaries of approved social forestry areas, developing business groups, and providing intensive assistance to help them expand their enterprises," Pribadi said.
For the customary forest scheme, the ministry has established a Task Force for the Acceleration of Customary Forest Designation to accelerate validation of customary territories involving the central government, regional administrations, and indigenous communities.
Through these efforts, the government is committed to scaling up the capacity of social forestry groups.
"Beginner social forestry groups will be upgraded into independent groups capable of managing commodities autonomously through Social Forestry Business Institutions (KUPS) with high economic value," he explained.
The Forestry Ministry is also open to partnerships with private companies willing to invest in community groups, commodity development, and downstream processing of social forestry products.
"This cooperation is being implemented by connecting producers or community groups with buyers through business meetings to shorten supply chains," he said.
As a result, social forestry groups can secure more competitive market prices, supported by academics and non-governmental organizations providing technical assistance, he concluded.
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Translator: Arnidhya, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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