IPB University Forest Management Lecturers Initiate Community Forest Management Programme in Karyasari Village

A number of IPB University lecturers and students from the Department of Forest Management, Faculty of Forestry and Environment (Fahutan) initiated a community forest management programme. The initiation was carried out with the Kelompok Wanita Tani (KWT) Sipon Harum Lestari and the Kelompok Tani Hutan (KTH) Harapan Maju Kampung Sipon in Karyasari Village, Leuwiliang District, Bogor Regency, West Java. 

The activity with the theme “Strengthening the Capacity of Farmers Groups Towards Sustainable and Independent Community Forest Management” is part of the community service activities of the Dosen Pulang Kampung (Dospulkam) programme.

The lecturers and students who joined the activity consisted of Prof Hardjanto, Dra Sri Rahaju, Priyanto MSi, Fitta Setiajiati MSi, Qori Pebrial Ilham MSi, Muhammad Resta Destyana, Taufik Ramdhan, and Riski Hendriani.

This activity takes place in June-November 2024. IPB University lecturers will provide training and counselling on sustainable and independent community forest management, including planting, maintenance and harvesting techniques. Karyasari Village was chosen because it has been famous for a long time as an area that has a large area of community forests in Leuwiliang District, Bogor Regency. 

“Group management of community forests such as KWT Sipon Harum Lestari and KTH Harapan Maju is based on the desire to develop and advance in managing their community forests,” explained Prof Hardjanto.

Community forest management by farmers includes planting various types of plants such as durian, mangosteen, jengkol, nutmeg, cloves, sengon, afrika, jenjeng, and mahogany. Land ownership ranging from 0.5 to 3 hectares is managed using an agroforestry system.

Prof Hardjanto said that the potential must be accompanied by an increase in the capacity and quality of farmers to be more agile in every management implementation. In response, Prof Hardjanto initiated the lecturers’ homecoming programme.

“This programme is intended as a place to exchange ideas, knowledge, and know-how in community forest management,” said Prof Hardjanto at the opening of the discussion at KWT Sipon Harum Lestari.

Farmers who have had knowledge and experience for a long time, need to get new things to be more effective and efficient in their forestry activities. The lecturers involved delivered interactive materials and discussions, so the farmers were very enthusiastic in participating in a series of Dospulkam activities. 

“I feel very happy to be able to participate in activities with IPB University lecturers. I hope that I will get new things, especially in managing community forests such as nurseries, maintenance and harvesting that can benefit farmers,” said Sutisna, a member of KTH Harapan Jaya.

The Dospulkam programme is a clear example of collaboration between academics and communities in managing community forests. With good forest management, it is expected to have a positive impact on the community from ecological, economic and social aspects. (TR/MW/Rz) (IAAS/RSL)