Humbang Hasundutan – The Chief of Staff to The President, Dr. Moeldoko symbolically led the submission of 82 Integrated Social Forestry Community Empowerment Programs across ministries and BUMN phase one for the North Sumatra region, Tuesday (01/08). There are 662 households in the social forest community not only got the certificate, but also received empowerment program assistance, consisting of Humbang Hasundutan Regency, Samosir Regency, and Tapanuli Utara Regency. Government of Indonesia began to see the concept of social forestry as one of the efforts in the progress of a more sustainable development. 

The Chief of Staff to The President, Dr. Moeldoko stated that President Joko Widodo mentioned Social Forestry in Indonesia as a government driven program, as a means to improve forest management, empower local people, and improve their wellbeing.

“President Joko Widodo has an extraordinary passion related to Indonesian people’s wellbeing, especially for the farmers in the social forestry community,” said Moeldoko.

Previously, the Executive Office of the President collaborated with the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry orchestrated 82 integrated empowerment program assistance held in Humbang Hasundutan, North Sumatra (01/08). There are four Ministries and five BUMN involved in the program. 

The four ministries include the Ministry of Environment and Forestry with 15 activities, the Ministry of Agriculture with 14 activities, the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs with 8 activities, and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries with 3 activities. While five BUMN which are PLN with 17 activities, BRI with 9 activities, Hutama Karya with 2 activities, Pupuk Indonesia Holding Company with 9 activities, and 5 activities from the Indonesia Financial Group.

This inter-ministerial and BUMN empowerment program assistance include assistance with seeds, fertilizers, training, and monitoring, also the construction of roads for environmental services, tourism and farming. “This empowerment program assistance has been adjusted to the needs of the community. The government has been fully considering it,” explained Moeldoko.

Moeldoko also ensures that the target of this integration program will continue to provide a social forest community. The target of social forestry must be balanced with people’s needs, also the synergy of ministries or institutions and with local government

“We hope this program will be fully utilized by the community, so that we would achieve economic equality. Also we need to synchronize with ministry/agency programs, then we adjust to the needs of each region. That will be our primary concern” added Moeldoko.