Business model for community featured products in peatlands: case study of Pulang Pisau Regency

Abstract

Peatlands are one of resources for regional economic development in Pulang Pisau Regency. However, the condition of peatlands continues to be degraded due to uncontrolled use and fires on peatlands and forests areas. The socio-economic revitalization of community is one of the efforts to restore the degraded peatlands. This revitalization is required as the utilization of peatland by the community is still traditional, so the added value of land use products, until now has not been created optimally. Therefore, a land-use business approach that is appropriate with the capacity of the community and available natural capital is needed. This approach will improve community livelihoods and contribute positively to economic, social, and environmental development. This paper aims to identify the features of paludiculture products cultivated by the community and develop a featured product business model. Research locations are in Buntoi and Mantaren 1 Village. Data collection is carried out through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Respondents are farmers, traders, industry players, and the government. The data analysis used is descriptive data analysis and canvas business model (CBM). The dominant type of plant cultivated by the community is rubber. The community considers rubber could provide high economic benefits. Analysis results of rubber business practices carried out by the community are characterized by (i) low dry content of rubber latex (slab); (ii) rubber latex that is sold to a local trader or factories at lower prices than it is sold to the factory, (iii) the certainty of the slab supply to the factory is relatively high; and (iv) limited control of capital and technology. The development of the CBM model is needed to improve the rubber business through improving the quality of latex as a market segmentation requirement, expanding potential customers through collective marketing channels, improving productivity by selecting superior seeds and environmental engineering technology.