The Department of Forest Resource Conservation and Ecotourism (DKSHE), Faculty of Forestry and Environment (Fahutan) at IPB University, has resumed its series of community empowerment activities as part of the FOLU Net Sink 2030 Implementing Partner program.
Following the planting of 35.899 trees in April 2026 across four buffer zone villages of Gunung Halimun Salak National Park (TNGHS), the program now focuses on capacity building training for farmers. The program is taking place in the villages of Cihamerang, Kabandungan, Cipeuteuy, and Mekarjaya.
Under the guidance of Dr Rinekso Soekmadi, the activities are aimed at ensuring the sustainable management of multi purpose tree species (MPTS) and forestry crops, while also strengthening community readiness for the proposal of preservation areas.
“This initiative is part of a strategy to strengthen community capacity in supporting sustainable landscape management that integrates conservation, increased carbon sequestration, and improved community well being in buffer zone villages,” said Dr Rinekso.
The training was conducted over five days with different themes. The first day focused on “Vegetative Plant Propagation.” The event was opened by Zulham SHut MT, Coordinator of the Working Group on Area Conservation, Biodiversity, and Payment for Environmental Services at the National Park Management Section (SPTN) Region III Sukabumi of the TNGHS Office.
In his remarks, Zulham emphasized that strengthening the capacity of farmers in buffer zone villages is key to maintaining a balance between improving community well being and preserving the ecological functions of the area.
“We believe that when communities have secure livelihoods, land productivity increases, and agricultural yields provide greater benefits, pressure on forest areas will also decrease. Thus, conservation and well being are not mutually exclusive; rather, they are two goals that can be achieved simultaneously through collaboration and proper management,” he stated.
Ir Andi Sukendro MSi, a lecturer at the Faculty of Forestry, IPB University, and an expert in silviculture and forest tree propagation technology, shared techniques for vegetative plant propagation, including cuttings, layering, grafting, and budding.
During the practical session, durian and avocado plants were used as learning materials. These two plant species were selected because they are the most sought after MPTS commodities among farmers and hold high economic value in the buffer zone villages of TNGHS.
Participants showed high enthusiasm throughout the event, particularly during the practical plant propagation sessions. Farmers noted that the material provided was highly relevant to their needs as it could be directly applied to independently produce MPTS plant seedlings. This is expected to reduce seedling purchase costs, increase the availability of high-quality planting material, and encourage the development of more productive and sustainable farming businesses.
Through this series of training sessions, the Department of KSHE at IPB University, in collaboration with the TNGHS Office, hopes that communities in the four buffer zone villages will increasingly develop the capacity to manage land sustainably, improve agricultural productivity, and play an active role in preserving the TNGHS area. (*/Rz) (IAAS/PRP)
