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Local Economic Development of Candlenuts Farmers at Tahura Nuraksa Conservation and Community Forest, Lombok

25 Aug 2020

Local Economic Development of Candlenuts Farmers at Community Forest, Sekawan Sejati region, Lombok – Nusa Tenggara Barat Province

Project leader: Ms. Janti Gunawan

Level of education and university: Master, University of New South Wales

Collaborating Organisations: The Forest Cafe and Camps (FCC), BUMDes Pakuan and PT Tiga Rasa

Project Location: Nusa Tenggara Barat

Activity Type: Training, workshop or seminar

Sector: Trade, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Forestry

Project Rationale:

Tahura Nuraksa is a 3155 hectare conservation park under the Geopark Geosite at Mount Rinjani on Lombok. Nearby live about 600 families, who rely on the forest for income. These farmers are non-wood product farmers, who have permits to use Tahura land for harvest but not for cutting trees. However, the farmers face the challenges of low incomes and expand their activity to the conservation area by either cutting wood or shooting animals. It results in constant conflict with the government over the environmental damage. In addition, Tahura is managed by only 13 employees with limited friends of the forest and limited facilities, which results in the governance challenges.

Fortunately, the village has a village-owned enterprise (BUMDes), which was established in December 2019, and a youth community. The BUMDes’ vision is to help farmers access new markets and to provide decent work for everyone. However, this institution is newly established, and requires further capacity building among local community groups to maximise their competitive positioning and sustainable business practices.

The Forest Cafe and Camps were recently set up to develop the local economy through sustainable forest tourism. This association consists of 11 youth members, with anaverage age of 20 and their highest education qualification at junior high school. This association seeks support from the Center of Sustainable Development Goals ITS for economic development and tourism development.

Project Beneficiaries:

60 farmer representatives, and 30 youth

Priority Development Area:

Economic institutions and infrastructure

Link with Australian organisation: 

University of South Australia

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