Strengthening the Solidarity of the Movement and Utilization of People-Managed Areas by the Argapura Farmers Group, Karang Bayan, West Nusa Tenggara

Karang Bayan Village, Lingsar District, West Lombok Regency, is located within the Rinjani forest area, so most of the community's livelihoods come from non-timber forest products. These include sugar palm, coffee, durian, candlenut, rambutan, mangosteen, banana, cocoa, and others. The Karang Bayan Village community is part of a farmer group called Gapoktan (Farmer Group Association) Argapura. In 2023, they obtained a community forest management permit for 187 hectares of cultivated land managed by 274 families. Gapoktan Argapura includes four Forest Farmer Groups (KTH): KTH Mentari, Patoh Pacu, Tarik Sidip, and Beriok Maju.

274 families have traditionally relied on the 187-hectare forest area for their livelihood. One potential source of income, due to its high market value, is the sap of the sugar palm tree. The sap can be processed into palm sugar, which can then be processed into liquid sugar and palm sugar. On Lombok Island, the demand for palm sugar and liquid sugar is very high, especially during religious holidays and traditional ceremonies. Furthermore, the palm sugar business is currently experiencing significant growth. Coffee Shop As palm sugar grows in Lombok, they require liquid sugar as a key ingredient for their palm sugar coffee milk products. This is not to mention the demand in hotels and other tourist destinations. Palm sugar products have broad market access in Lombok.

Recognizing this potential, the Argapura Farmers Group (Gapoktan Argapura) has taken the initiative to strengthen the governance of its cultivated area through managing its economic potential and strengthening its organization. This includes developing production output, particularly the processing of palm sap into liquid palm sugar. This not only strengthens collective economic management but also ensures sustainable knowledge transformation by establishing a community education center within the Argapura Farmers Group's cultivated land.

This activity successfully produced a product from the community-managed area of ​​the Argapura Farmers Group (Gapoktan Argapura). Utilizing the potential and added value of palm sugar processing, they have even obtained a business permit, marked by the acquisition of a Business Identification Number (NIB) and a legal permit, allowing them to distribute their processed products in the form of a Home Industry Processed Food Production Commitment Fulfillment Certificate (SPP-IRT).

Furthermore, the establishment of a community education center within the Argapura Farmers' Group management area strengthens member solidarity by providing a consolidation space and regular meetings. It also serves as a hub for knowledge development and transformation for members.