Enviro News Asia, Banyumas — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry is promoting youth entrepreneurship based on sustainable forest resources through the development of Trigona stingless bee farming. The initiative aims to encourage young people to build environmentally responsible businesses while supporting forest conservation and the green economy.
The program was implemented through a technical training program on creative forestry entrepreneurship, Trigona bee cultivation, and digital marketing organized by the Center for Forest Conservation Generation Development (Pusgenri) under the Ministry of Forestry’s Agency for Extension and Human Resources Development (BP2SDM).
The training was held from August 18 to 20, 2026, at Wanawiyata Widyakarya Petani Muda Prawita in Darmakradenan Village, Ajibarang District, Banyumas, Central Java. A total of 95 young participants from Banyumas, Cilacap, and Purbalingga took part in the program, with participants coming from communities interested in or already involved in creative forestry entrepreneurship.
Head of Pusgenri Luckmi Purwandari said young people need to be equipped not only with awareness of forest conservation but also with knowledge, practical skills, business networks, and opportunities to develop productive enterprises based on forest resources.
The ministry considers Trigona bees, also known as stingless bees, a promising commodity because their cultivation is environmentally friendly, has economic value, and depends on healthy vegetation and ecosystems. Developing Trigona-based businesses can therefore create a mutually beneficial relationship between forest conservation and community economic development.
During the training, participants learned about Trigona bee cultivation as well as product development, digital marketing, social media utilization, and branding. These skills are intended to help young entrepreneurs increase the added value of their products and reach broader markets.
The ministry emphasized that young people’s familiarity with technology and social media can become an important advantage in promoting forestry-based products. Beyond producing quality goods, participants were encouraged to develop strong brands, narratives, and market strategies.
The creative forestry entrepreneurship program is part of the Ministry of Forestry’s broader effort to develop the Forest Conservation Generation (Genries) ecosystem. Between 2025 and 2026, a total of 421 young people had participated in creative forestry entrepreneurship development programs, with various forest-based business initiatives emerging from the training.
The Banyumas program also received support from local governments and other stakeholders. Local authorities identified Trigona bee farming as an opportunity to create new economic activities for young people while encouraging product innovation, improved marketing, and collaboration with other local businesses.
The Ministry of Forestry stressed that assistance should continue beyond the training program. Participants are expected to build networks with local governments, forestry extension officers, businesses, communities, academics, and other partners to transform the knowledge gained into viable and sustainable enterprises.
Under the leadership of Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, the ministry aims to encourage more young people to view the forestry sector as a space for innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic development. Through creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship, young forestpreneurs are expected to contribute to forest conservation, community prosperity, and Indonesia’s green economy. (*)
