ACEH REFUGEE FARMERS ACCESS TAMAN NATIONAL FOR COLLECTIVE WELFARE

The Indonesian Farmers Refugees in Aceh (PIPA) is an organization for refugees from the political and military conflict in Aceh. Its membership numbers approximately 750 families. For decades, they have occupied the Sekoci-Lepan Resort area of ​​Gunung Leuser National Park (TNGL) under uncertain conditions. Because of this status, they frequently face tenure conflicts with the TNGL management.

The solution to this problem is to engage in dialogue with the TNGL management to access management of the national park area in accordance with applicable regulations. This effort began in 2020 with the formation of the Conservation Forest Farmers Group (KTHK). It was only in 2025, after negotiations with TNGL, that they obtained permission to manage 10 hectares of land. The 10 hectares were divided into 10 groups, based on the agreed number of people. They then planted chilies, corn, and watermelons on 8,4 hectares. The remaining 1,6 hectares were used as a communal nursery.

KTHK members also received training in sustainable agriculture and marketing. The training covered topics such as making liquid organic fertilizer (POC) for the vegetative and generative phases, making botanical pesticides, seed selection techniques and methods, plant propagation, and grafting techniques. In product marketing training, they gained capacity building skills related to product storage and marketing techniques.

Programmatically, PIPA's initiatives have impacted land rehabilitation through sustainable agricultural practices. Educational initiatives have increased the capacity of KTHK members in sustainable agriculture, marketing, and organizational management. These initiatives also have economic impacts. By accessing national park areas for sustainable and legal agriculture, Acehnese refugee farmers have earned income to meet their families' needs. The estimated economic potential of their chili and corn crops is sufficient to meet collective needs. Chili crops generate an annual economic potential of Rp917.400.000, while corn crops generate Rp3.200.000.000. In terms of land area and population, this initiative has a direct impact on an area of ​​1.004 hectares, affecting 5.168 people.

However, the sustainable farming practices they have been pursuing also pose their own challenges. Throughout the planting and maintenance period, they have had to deal with extreme weather conditions that were unpredictable, unlike in previous years. This has had a significant impact on them, resulting in a failed watermelon harvest. Because this farming initiative is still in its infancy, they also face a lack of capital, which is further exacerbated by the failure of one of their crops.