Development of peatland-friendly commodities to achieve sustainable forest management in Jambi Province

Abstract

The peatland restoration program has been targeted by the Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG) of 2.4 million hectares from 2016 to 2020 including in Jambi Province. This program must be carried out collaboratively by involving various stakeholders (government, community, academic, NGO, and businessman). However, currently the clearing of peatland areas for oil palm plantations by slash and burn is very potential for forest fires. The paper aims to analyze the development of peatland-friendly commodities based on market expansion in Jambi province. The method used is a qualitative method based on surveys to analyze the socio-economic of community and peatland-friendly commodity market potential. Besides oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), seven other peatland-friendly commodities have the potential to be developed in Sinar Wajo Village, Tanjung Jabung Timur Regency, Jambi Province, namely: areca nut (Areca catechu), coconut (Cocos nucifera), liberica coffee (Coffea liberica), durian (Durio zibethinus), balangeran (Shorea balangeran), petai (Parkia speciosa), and jengkol (Archidendron pauciflorum). These potential commodities are obtained from the suitability of planting land, community’s perception, market and market surveys, and commodity supply chains. The development of peatland-friendly commodities based on market expansion provides alternative livelihoods for communities to increase their income and to achieve sustainable forest management.