Switching to Local Lime Cultivation: Opening a New Page of the Collective Economy of Blang Pohroh Village

In 2023, the Blang Pohroh Community, Aceh, obtained the right to manage village forests through a Decree (SK) from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK). The area of ​​land they can manage is 20 hectares and the number of beneficiaries is 137 heads of families (KK). Geographically, this managed area is very fertile so it is ideal for agriculture or plantations.

Since obtaining forest management rights, members of the Blang Pohroh Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD), who generally work as farm laborers, have tried cultivating cocoa, areca nut and candlenut, but the results were not good due to low productivity due to pests and low selling prices. One of the factors causing the suboptimal cultivation efforts is the absence of a special management unit for the management of non-timber forest products.

For this reason, LPHD Blang Pohroh utilized the Nusantara Fund Direct Funding to build a collective economic management unit and improve knowledge and organizational skills and land cultivation techniques. The initial step taken was participatory mapping. As usual, the participatory mapping activity involved the Blang Pohroh community in mapping using drone technology and geographic information systems (GIS).

The purpose of mapping, apart from providing the basics of mapping and the use of modern technology, is also to increase KUPS awareness of the people's managed areas (WKR) related to area, topography, boundaries, area status, accessibility, socio-economic conditions, and economic potential in the managed areas.

The next step, they formed the Blang Pohroh Social Forestry Business Group (KUPS) with an agreed number of members of 20 families. With better organization and organization in KUPS, it is hoped that it will strengthen collective efforts in resource management in the future.

Based on the analysis of regional potential in participatory mapping, they agreed to promote lime as the main commodity of the collective economy pursued by KUPS Blang Pohroh. This decision was based on the suitability of the alluvial and latusol soil types in Blang Pohroh Village for lime cultivation, as well as the price stability which currently reaches IDR 10.000/kg—making it a promising source of income for the group.

Education on lime cultivation, from seeding, planting to maintenance is also carried out. After that, limes are planted on 10 hectares of land with an intercropping system with corn. In addition to functioning as an economic source, lime trees are also a marker for the existence of a managed area and a form of legitimacy to secure the managed area.

The changes or new knowledge obtained by the Blang Pohroh Community involved in the program are not only in the form of enthusiasm, but also in increasing capacity. In terms of participation mapping, community awareness has increased regarding the importance of understanding their management areas. Also, with the ability to use geographic-based technology. Spatial or geographic knowledge is also used in efforts to classify potential in the management area. Strengthening the institutional governance of KUPS will also build self-confidence and active participation of the community in managing village forests.

Finally, about the ability in cultivating lime. They not only have new knowledge related to seeding and planting, but also about maintenance. This collective effort that combines ecological and economic aspects, in addition to being a source of original village income, will also have an impact on the preservation and protection of forest areas from large-scale exploitation activities. The direct beneficiaries of this activity are 30 people as administrators of KUPS Blang Pohroh and 127 people from Blang Pohroh who will feel the benefits of the program from the distribution of results for village development.