Enviro News Asia, Pangkajene — Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni and Deputy Minister of Forestry, Sulaiman Umar Siddiq, conducted a working visit to the Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK) of Tabo-Tabo, located in Tabo-Tabo Village, Bungoro District, Pangkajene and Islands Regency, South Sulawesi, on Wednesday (May 14, 2025).
During the visit, the Minister held a dialogue with forestry extension workers, discussing various forestry-related issues, including the performance of extension workers in forest management, conservation, and community empowerment around forest areas.
In a press release from the Ministry of Forestry, it was stated that the Minister also directly listened to the experiences and aspirations of forestry extension workers operating in the field, particularly those working under the Center for Extension and Human Resource Development (BP2SDM) Region VI and extension workers in South Sulawesi Province.
“Forestry extension workers are the bridge that conveys national-level policies to local communities,” said Minister Raja Antoni.
The Minister also emphasized the importance for forestry extension workers to be curious, continuously learn new things, and not be technologically illiterate, so they can stay updated with technological developments to better serve their communities.
He further expressed his appreciation for the hard work of forestry extension workers in supporting sustainable forest management.
The Minister highlighted their crucial role in raising community awareness about the importance of forest conservation and in empowering local communities around forest areas—efforts aligned with President Prabowo Subianto’s vision of forests as reserves for food, energy, and water.
During the dialogue, several key issues were discussed, including the challenges of empowering communities living near forests. Extension workers shared that they sometimes struggle to reach remote communities. Nevertheless, they continue to carry out their duties diligently out of commitment to forest sustainability and community well-being. *
