Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening community participation through the social forestry program. By September 2025, a total of 8.4 million hectares of forest had officially been handed over to local communities for legal and sustainable management.
“Social forestry is aimed at improving the economic welfare of communities through the utilization of forest products. This program is also an important part of President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita, particularly regarding food security and the development of new and renewable energy,” Raja Antoni said in an official statement on Wednesday (September 10, 2025), in Medan, North Sumatra.
He delivered the remarks during the Social Forestry Workshop and Forest Farmer Group (KTH) Business Gathering of North Sumatra, attended by Deputy Minister of Forestry Sulaiman Umar and other ministry officials.
According to Forestry Ministry data, there are 15,769 active Social Forestry Business Groups (KUPS) across Indonesia. Among them, 120 KUPS hold Platinum status, 1,350 Gold, 5,749 Silver, and 8,550 Blue. From January to September 2025, the government issued 11,065 social forestry decrees (SK) involving approximately 1.4 million households.
“The issuance of these decrees grants local communities legal and sustainable management rights. This step not only opens opportunities for utilizing forest products but also helps reduce deforestation rates,” Raja Antoni explained.
He added that access to financing from banks would be key to improving the quality and competitiveness of social forestry products. “We hope social forestry can support the people’s economy, create jobs, and contribute to reducing extreme poverty in forest areas,” he emphasized.
This initiative reflects the synergy between the government and communities in preserving forests while strengthening an economy based on sustainable natural resources. (*)
