Trigona Bee Cultivation: An Economic Solution for Farmers' Groups, New Spirit for Utilizing Forest Areas in Bone

The majority of residents of Kahu Village, Bone Regency, South Sulawesi, are farmers who have long relied on forest products for their livelihood. This situation often puts them in conflict with the interests of the Forestry Department (Perhutani), which prioritizes nature conservation. The problem is that farmers have no choice but to utilize land within forest areas.

To address permit requirements for forest area utilization, the chosen initiative was the cultivation of trigona honeybees. This initiative was chosen because the market price for trigona honeybees is around Rp 200.000-Rp 250.000 per liter. Twenty people received training on trigona honeybee cultivation. Each of the twenty individuals was also provided with 100 boxes complete with trigona honeybee colonies. This initiative has led to the formation of an association called the Semangat Baru Farmers Group.

Through the Trigona honey bee cultivation initiative, the Semangat Baru Farmers Group has successfully managed forest areas to improve their economic well-being. Under optimal conditions, 100 Trigona honey bee colonies can produce 320 liters of honey per year, and can even reach 400 liters, depending on weather, nectar availability, and other factors. Harvests can be done every three months or four times a year. If 1 liter of Trigona honey is priced at Rp 200.000 on the local market, this program holds the potential economic benefit of Rp 64 million per year, per person. Distribution has also expanded in Bone Regency. This will encourage the farmer group to continue this economic practice as a solution to the Semangat Baru Farmers Group's economic well-being.