Enviro News Asia, Medan — Asosiasi Pengusaha Hutan Indonesia (APHI) held a strategic meeting with the Faculty of Forestry of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) to discuss the transformation and future direction of Indonesia’s forestry industry.
The meeting took place at the Kwala Bekala Campus in Deli Serdang and was led by APHI Chairman Soewarso and USU Dean of the Faculty of Forestry Rudi Hartono. The discussion focused on addressing structural challenges in the forestry sector and promoting a more adaptive, sustainable, and science-based management model.
Soewarso stated that the forestry industry is entering a transition phase, as traditional timber-based business models face increasing limitations. He emphasized the need for diversification through carbon services, non-timber forest products, and landscape-based commodities such as coffee, cocoa, and vanilla, while maintaining environmental sustainability.
He further highlighted the importance of disaster management, reconfiguration of natural forest governance, and the acceleration of commercial timber planting as long-term strategies. APHI, he said, remains open to strengthening collaboration with academic institutions to incorporate research-based inputs, particularly in resolving industrial plantation forest conflicts and enhancing national competitiveness through continuous policy dialogue.
Rudi Hartono affirmed the commitment of academics to actively contribute to targeted and effective forestry policies grounded in sustainable forest management principles. He underlined that conservation, climate change, and carbon management must remain central agendas in education, research, and community service, adding that the transformation toward multi-business forestry is inevitable.
The meeting formed part of APHI’s national roadshow to gather academic perspectives in shaping a more inclusive, competitive, and sustainable forestry development pathway for Indonesia. (*)
