Productive Carbon Forest: Agroforestry with high economic forest commodities to increase carbon stocks and community welfare in Garut Indonesia

Abstract

24.7 million hectares of Forest areas are not covered with forest, and the community limits its management because it is prohibited by law. However, the forestry sector only contributes 0.6% of Indonesia’s GDP. Therefore, IPB University collaborates with ASTRA International to develop a productive carbon forest in Garut Regency. Agroforestry uses highly economic forest commodities. This program was very well received by the community there. Around 52.86 hectares of tea gardens and other plantations became productive carbon forests and are expected to be fruitful and profitable three years later. It planted 13,082 avocado trees, 71,070 coffee trees, and 8,270 hardwood trees. Assistance was carried out from the beginning of the program about six months ago and will continue until the fruit harvesting. This program is expected to continue for 20 years and give a profit of around IDR 596,567,022 (USD 3,9846) /hectare/year. It is anticipated that this undertaking will serve as a pilot project for improving the social forest in Indonesia and could increase both the ecology and community welfare. Nevertheless, this productive carbon forest is expected to succeed in Indonesia’s FoLU (Forest and Other Land Use) Net Sink 2030 and Indonesia’s domestic carbon market, established at the end of September 2023.