Existing Conditions, Challenges and Needs in the Implementation of Forestry and Agroforestry Extension in Indonesia

Timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are forest and agroforestry products and potential livelihood sources for farmers. If managed in a sustainable manner, these products can increase the income of farmers. To achieve sustainable management, farmers require access to appropriate information. However, in remote areas, farmers have limited access to such information. Therefore, this study was conducted in order to understand the effective forestry extension practices that support the development of timber and NTFPs as a source of income for farmers in Indonesia. Interviews were conducted with 500 farmers, and six FGDs were held to discuss the forestry extension approach implemented both by the government and the private sector. In addition, field observations on forestry extension practices were conducted in order to collect supported qualitative and quantitative data.This study was conducted in three districts of three provinces in Indonesia: Gunungkidul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta; Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara; and Timor Tengah Selatan, East Nusa Tenggara. The result shows that current forestry extension practices are not optimum, mainly because of a) the inadequate number of government field extension agents specialized in forestry issues; b) inadequate learning material given to farmers; and c) inadequate budget allocation for forestry extension activities at the district level. In several remote study areas, private extension agents play a major role in helping the dissemination of forestry information. Implementation of forestry extension programs cannot depend solely on government extension agents. Collaboration between government and private extension agents is necessary to support the effectiveness of information dissemination and the capacity building of farmers for a sustainable forest management.