Enviro News Asia, Banyumas — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry is encouraging young people to develop sustainable businesses based on forest resources through stingless bee cultivation and digital marketing.
The initiative was carried out through a technical training program on creative forestry entrepreneurship, stingless bee (Trigona spp.) cultivation and digital marketing organized by the Center for Forest Conservation Generation Development (Pusgenri), under the Ministry of Forestry’s Agency for Human Resources Extension and Development.
Held from August 18–20, 2026, at Wanawiyata Widyakarya Petani Muda Prawita in Darmakradenan Village, Ajibarang District, Banyumas, Central Java, the program brought together 95 young people from Banyumas, Cilacap and Purbalingga who are interested in or already engaged in forestry-based entrepreneurship.
Head of the Center for Forest Conservation Generation Development Luckmi Purwandari said young people need to be equipped not only with awareness of forest conservation, but also with knowledge, skills, networks and opportunities to develop productive businesses while maintaining forest sustainability.
“We want young people to see that protecting forests and improving livelihoods can go hand in hand. Through forestpreneurship, young people can create economic value from forest resources without damaging them,” Luckmi said.
Stingless bees were selected as a promising commodity because their cultivation is environmentally friendly, has economic value and depends heavily on healthy vegetation and ecosystems. Developing stingless bee businesses can therefore create a mutually reinforcing relationship between forest conservation and local economic development.
During the training, participants learned not only about stingless bee cultivation techniques but also about product development, digital marketing, social media utilization and branding. These skills are intended to increase the value of forestry products and help young entrepreneurs reach broader markets.
“Young people today are very familiar with technology and social media. This ability should become a strength in promoting forestry products. It is not enough to produce a good product; they must also be able to build a strong story, brand and market,” Luckmi said.
The creative forestry entrepreneurship program is part of the Ministry of Forestry’s effort to develop the Forest Conservation Generation (Genries) ecosystem. From 2025 to 2026, a total of 421 young people have participated in creative forestry entrepreneurship development programs involving various forest-based business initiatives.
The Banyumas program also received support from local governments and other stakeholders. The development of stingless bee cultivation is considered to have the potential to create new economic opportunities for young people while encouraging product innovation, improved marketing and collaboration with local businesses.
The Ministry of Forestry emphasized that assistance should continue beyond the training program. Participants are encouraged to establish networks with local governments, forestry extension officers, business actors, communities, academics and other partners so that the knowledge gained can develop into sustainable businesses.
Under the leadership of Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, the ministry expects creative forestry entrepreneurship to encourage more young Indonesians to view the forestry sector as a space for innovation, entrepreneurship and future economic opportunities.
By combining creativity, technology and entrepreneurship with environmental stewardship, young forestpreneurs are expected to contribute to Indonesia’s broader goals of sustainable forests, improved community livelihoods and a greener economy. (*)
