The Dayak Muduk Sanggau Community Improves Collective Economy and Protects Customary Territory Through Bamboo Shoot Processing

The Muduk Sanggau Dayak Indigenous Community has a vast customary territory with abundant potential livelihood resources. However, the majority of this customary territory is within production forest areas and is controlled by forestry company concessions. This situation has increasingly limited the community's ability to manage their customary territory independently, directly impacting their livelihoods and economic conditions.

In response to this situation, the Muduk Dayak Indigenous Community is striving to develop new sources of income based on sustainably managed customary forest products. One potential non-timber forest product (NTFP) that can be developed is bamboo shoots, which have previously only been used for family consumption or sold at low prices. However, dried bamboo shoots offer the potential to be processed into high-value products, as they are more durable and offer a wider market. In the long term, bamboo shoot processing is expected to strengthen economic independence based on local potential, increase the income of Indigenous Communities, and support customary forest conservation efforts.

This effort involves establishing an institution and strengthening the capacity of Indigenous Women Managing Bamboo Shoot Businesses, the primary drivers of the packaged dried bamboo shoot business. Capacity building includes training in bamboo cultivation, packaged dried bamboo shoot processing, product marketing and promotion strategies, and management and bookkeeping. The goal is to enhance Indigenous Women's knowledge in managing collective businesses sustainably.

As a result, the Muduk Dayak Indigenous Community then succeeded in forming two dried bamboo shoot business groups in Empodis Village, namely the Empodis (Redis) dried bamboo shoot group in Empodis Hamlet and the Muduk Manis dried bamboo shoot group in Mua Hamlet. The Indigenous Community also succeeded in pushing for the issuance of an official dried bamboo shoot business permit issued by the Department of Industry, Trade, and Cooperatives for the Muduk Manis dried bamboo shoot group. In addition, from the training, the Indigenous Community succeeded in producing packaged dried bamboo shoots with an estimated selling price of Rp. 80.000 or even reaching Rp. 120.000 if sold retail.