San Afri Awang

Communicative action to level the playing field in forest plantations in Indonesia

The government of Indonesia allocated state land to private companies to establish forest plantations. However, ownership of this land was contested by some Sumatran communities. The plantation company, endorsed by the government, quickly developed a partnership to resolve the conflict, but this was unclear and inequitable. Action research was carried out to facilitate communication among stakeholders. This communicative action changed some perceptions and shared values began to emerge. A forum was established, which contributed to equitability producing a better partnership. This research is a model for empowering local communities in climate change, bioenergy, and food security negotiations.

Effects of National Community-Based Forest Certification on Forest Management and Timber Marketing: A Case Study of Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

SUMMARY This study clarified the changes in forest management and timber marketing after acquisition of the Indonesian Ecolabelling Institutes community-based forest certification through a case of Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The certification had good effects to improve forest management, although any apparent effects on timber marketing were not observed. Meanwhile, this study observed the potential of certification to help with the acquisition of the Indonesia Timber Legality Assurance System certification under the Voluntary Partnership Agreement of Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade. In order to disseminate the forest certification to small-scale forestry it is necessary to promote selling certified timber and generate a premium price for smallholders. In particular, the challenges of Chain of Custody and the inherent nature of small-scale forestry should be addressed. The dissemination of national forest certification, which provides more appropriate benefits for smallholders and provokes their motivation for sustainable forest management, still remains a big challenge in Indonesia.

Socioeconomic Conditions Affecting Smallholder Timber Management in Gunungkidul District, Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia

Indonesia is one of the largest teak timber producers in the world. The Javanese State Forest Company has been a major producer of teak timber in Indonesia; however, log production decreased drastically due to severe illegal logging after the collapse of Suharto regime. In contrast, small-scale private forests (PFs) owned by local farmers have expanded and are expected to be a new source of teak timber. Long rotation is a critical factor in producing a larger diameter log with a higher heartwood proportion. However, harvest timing in PFs is traditionally decided based on individual farmers’ needs even if trees are still young and of small diameter. Therefore, traditional harvesting is an obstacle to producing high-quality teak timber. The objectives of this study are to (1) identify the household economies and PF management styles of local farmers, (2) characterize the local farmers who conduct traditional harvesting, and (3) suggest key considerations for PF policymaking. Key informant interviews and semi-structured interviews with local farmers were conducted in three villages in Gunungkidul district, Yogyakarta Special Region. The study identified the household economies, the ownership and management structures, and the traditional harvesting in PFs in the three villages, and reaffirmed diversity and complexity of PFs. It appears that PF management is influenced by topographic and socioeconomic conditions and differs widely across villages. Therefore, it is important to consider the diversity and complexity of PFs in PF policymaking.