Planting Hope in Dry Land: 14 Agroforestry Seedlings for the Rehabilitation of the Himokami Forest Management Area (HKm)

The Himokami Community Forestry Social Forestry Group (KPS HKm) in Parigi Moutong Regency, Central Sulawesi, has obtained a permit to manage a 220-hectare area based on Decree SK.5874/MENLHK-PSKL/PKPS/PSL.0/10/2017. However, this permit does not automatically guarantee smooth management. The implementation of the Forest Management Work Plan (RKPS), which has been prepared since 2023, has been hampered, partly due to the condition of the managed area, which is mostly dry land and difficult to recover without adequate technical support.

In response to these challenges, the Himokami Forest Management Unit (KPS HKm) began implementing its RKPS (Rehabilitation Plan) through rehabilitation activities. The initial step was to prepare nurseries and seedlings to allow for large-scale planting. This activity aims to accelerate efforts to restore the ecological function of the area, which has been neglected.

Nursery activities are carried out from February to April, covering types of woody plants, rattan, MPTS plants (multi-purpose tree species), and crops for animal feed. These plants have proven to adapt well in Alindau Village. In the initial phase, the activity involved 36 people, predominantly women (28) and eight men, members of the HKm. After the initial nursery period, care was continued by the KPS HKm Himokami management.

During the three months of implementation, the group succeeded in producing a total of 14.630 seedlings, consisting of: Jabon (1.980 trees), Nantu (1.875 trees), Coffee (5.550 trees), Rattan (1.550 trees), Elephant Grass (1.785 trees), and Odot Grass (1.890 trees). In addition to independent nurseries, the group also procured superior seeds from grafting with blue labels totaling 1.045 ready-to-plant trees, consisting of MCC 02 Cocoa (534 trees) and Montong Durian (511 trees). The blue label is the result of propagation from the main seed and has met the certification quality standards. The blue label indicates that the seeds have been checked and guaranteed to be of the quality stated.

Agroforestry in Community-Managed Areas

The planting activities took place in two different locations, namely in the garden belonging to (APL – Other Use Area) and the Himokami Community Forest (HKm) permit forest area. The applied planting pattern refers to an agroforestry approach, integrating forest plants with productive crops. In addition to forest trees for shade and conservation, the community also plants economically valuable fruit crops such as durian and cocoa, and grasses for livestock feed. This approach is expected to strengthen community-based management and integrate rehabilitation practices into daily agricultural activities.

The first planting location was in a forest area under a management permit for the Himokami Community Forestry (HKm). Planting in the forest area targeted boundaries and points where trees had been logged, covering a total area of ​​4 hectares. Planting was carried out by members, administrators of the Himokami Community Forestry Working Group (KPS), and representatives from the village government. Planted in this area included jabon (jabon), nantu (nantu), rattan, coffee, elephant grass, and odot grass seedlings.

The second planting site is located in a garden owned by members and the community of Alindau Village, covering a total area of ​​20,25 hectares. The crops planted include jabon (japanese), nantu (a type of palm tree), cocoa, durian, coffee, elephant grass, and odot grass seedlings. 

The planting practices in the gardens incorporate woody plants such as jabon and nantu, placed at the edges and corners of the gardens to act as windbreaks to protect the plantation crops like durian, cocoa, and coffee planted in the center. Forage crops such as elephant grass and odot grass are also planted to meet the livestock needs of the Alindau Village community.

To ensure sustainability, four plots of land belonging to members of the Himokami Community Forestry (HKm) have also been designated as agroforestry learning gardens. These gardens will serve as a platform for knowledge sharing between HKm Himokami members and the Alindau Village community regarding the integration of conservation crops with economically valuable crops.

Adopting Technology to Manage and Maintain the Sustainability of Community-Managed Areas

To maximize planting and monitoring, AP2SI Sulteng and WALHI Central Sulawesi provides increased capacity for application use Avenza Maps (mapping support) and Timestamp (photo with coordinates) for the administrators and members, as well as the Alindau Village government. Using two tools, the community began documenting the planted areas and recording patrol activities in the rehabilitated area. This learning process is an important part of strengthening capacity to utilize technology to independently manage and protect Community-Managed Areas.

Throughout the planting process, regular meetings were held to evaluate implementation and address any challenges encountered in the field. This strengthened internal coordination and maintained a shared commitment to achieving the established planting targets. Although difficult terrain and unfavorable weather presented challenges, all activities were successfully carried out according to plan.

This initiative not only focuses on ecosystem restoration but also provides the community with new experiences in forest management. They successfully implemented the RPKS (Regional Forest Management Plan) and now have new skills in nursery, seeding, planting, and utilizing app-based mapping and patrol technology.

The planting not only contributes to the restoration of the dry ecosystem of the managed area but also opens up opportunities to strengthen the economy based on non-timber forest products. In the long term, this approach is expected to improve soil structure, increase water absorption, and provide a source of food and income for group members.

For the Himokami Forest Management Group (KPS HKm), the successful planting of over 14 trees marks a milestone in reviving the spirit of managing Community-Managed Areas. This success also demonstrates that community-based forest management remains a reliable path to land restoration while maintaining environmental sustainability.