Farmers in the work area of PT Lestari Asri Jaya and PT Wanamukti Wisesa (both of PT Royal Lestari Utama's subsidiaries) can now work in peace. Upon the initiation of the two rubber HTI companies, their agricultural activities currently have legal force.
That was after the Governor of Jambi Fachrori Umar, submitted a Minister of Forestry and Environment Decree on the Recognition and Protection of Forestry Partnerships (SK Kulin KK) to two Forest Farmer Groups (KTH), namely: KTH Karang Jaya, which is located in the area of PT Lestari Asri Jaya and KTH Wana Mitra Lestari, located in the area of PT Wanamukti Wisesa.
The handover ceremony for the first SK Kulin KK to farmers in HTI Jambi, was held in Muara Sekalo Village, Sumay District, Tebo Regency, Jambi, Friday (24/7).
Hasmon Ovezar, Chairperson of KTH Karang Jaya, felt grateful for the surrender of this decree. "The existence of this decree makes us more calm in utilizing land and carrying out agricultural activities," he said in front of the Governor and company management.
He admitted, the farmers members of KTH Karang Jaya had been partnering for a long time with PT LAJ and PT WW. Through this partnership, members of the farmer group received training in food and vegetable cultivation and fisheries.
"Not only training, we also get seeds and our crops are bought by the company," he said.
The same thing was said by Sugiyo, Chairperson of KTH Wana Mitra Lestari. The farmer group he leads is a partner of PT Wanamukti Wisesa. Sugiyo claimed she and her farm group members could save expenses. Because basic needs have been met from the harvest.
"The partnership with this company is very profitable for us. Because when the price of palm oil falls, we get additional income from food crops and vegetables," he explained.
They hope that the partnership program can continue. Because it is very useful and helps farmers around the forest.
While the Jambi Governor hopes that the programs run by the two companies can be adapted by other plantation companies in Jambi.
"I hope this SK Kulin KK can be used to improve the economic quality of the communities surrounding the company. Take advantage of this natural product for positive interests. This is a concrete example of a plantation company that is prorakyat. Not only processing natural products, but also contributing positively to residents around the company. In this way the synergy of the surrounding community with the company can continue to run ideally, "said the Governor when giving a speech.
According to General Manager of PT LAJ and PT WW, Widyarsono, the two companies of sustainable natural rubber HTI are committed to supporting Social Forestry activities which are the Government's program through the forestry partnership scheme.
"SK Kulin KK for KTH Karang Jaya and KTH Wana Mitra Lestari is the first for the Industrial Plantation Forest area in Jambi Province," he added.
In addition to partnering with KTH Karang Jaya and KTH Wanamitra Lestari, the company also fosters 6 other KTH. Two Women Farmers Groups, and 1 Joint Farmers Group with a total of 263 farmer members.
"We are committed to continuing this partnership in a sustainable manner and contributing greatly to efforts to improve the welfare of the communities around the forest," explained Pak Widy, as he is familiarly called.
It should be noted, that the Decree of the Minister of Forestry and the Environment Recognition and Protection of Forestry Partnerships (SK Kulin KK) for the Karang Jaya Farmers Group (KTH) and KTH Wana Mitra Lestari is the first for the Industrial Plantation Forest area in Jambi Province.
Related to ecological aspects, continued Widyarsono, the company set aside about 25% of the company's area as a protected area. This includes the Wildlife Conservation Area (WCA). This WCA is a buffer for the Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park which consists of a conservation area and rubber plants.
This WCA area is also a cruising area for protected Sumatran Elephants. RLU also forms a Ranger Team, consisting of company employees whose main task is to carry out conservation efforts in protected areas including the WCA.
Some of the achievements of this team include forest mapping, identification of flora and fauna, saving endangered species (meranti, etc.). "And in particular maintaining the elephant crossing path," he said.