Enviro News Asia, Surakarta – Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry is strengthening the conservation of the country’s native orchids through an integrated approach that combines habitat protection, sustainable cultivation, public education, and community empowerment.
The commitment was reaffirmed by Vice Minister of Forestry Rohmat Marzuki during the Solo Orchid Festival (SAF) 2026 held at Loji Gandrung in Surakarta. During the event, the ministry also distributed 1,000 tree seedlings to support community greening initiatives and biodiversity conservation.
In his remarks, Rohmat commended the SUTARA Community and all stakeholders involved in organizing the festival, describing it as an example of how conservation can be integrated with education, innovation, tourism, cultural preservation, and community economic development.
He noted that approximately 70 percent of Indonesia’s orchid species originate from forest ecosystems, making the protection of natural habitats essential to preserving the country’s rich floral diversity. Alongside in-situ conservation, the Ministry of Forestry continues to promote orchid cultivation outside forest areas, species reintroduction into natural habitats, and the responsible utilization of genetic resources to support sustainable livelihoods.
Rohmat also called on stakeholders to strengthen orchid habitat protection, expand responsible cultivation and hybridization, establish a traceability system for orchid trade, increase the economic value of orchid-based products, and encourage greater public appreciation of Indonesia’s native flora, particularly among younger generations.
As part of the ministry’s environmental conservation initiatives, 1,000 tree seedlings were distributed to local communities and plant enthusiast groups. The program aims to encourage broader public participation in reforestation, plant conservation, and biodiversity protection.
Surakarta Mayor Respati Ardianto said orchid conservation is a shared responsibility and emphasized that the development of ornamental plants contributes not only to environmental sustainability but also to urban economic growth and employment opportunities.
Representing the Governor of Central Java, the Head of the Provincial Agriculture and Plantation Agency highlighted the continued growth of the region’s floriculture industry, noting its increasing production capacity and export potential. The development reflects significant opportunities for orchids and ornamental plants as high-value economic commodities.
Vice Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono also underscored the strong commercial prospects of orchids as a high-value horticultural commodity. He said strengthening cultivation practices, improving the capacity of producers, and expanding market access would enhance Indonesia’s competitiveness in the global ornamental plant market.
Through cross-sector collaboration involving government institutions, local communities, academic institutions, businesses, and environmental organizations, the Ministry of Forestry aims to reinforce orchid conservation efforts while ensuring that Indonesia’s rich floral heritage continues to generate sustainable economic benefits for society. (*)
