multipurpose tree species research for small farms: strategies ... - part

Participants of the conference, ladies and
gentlemen, icientists and researchers from
many countries -- it is a privilege for me to be
here with you today. This conference has an
important role to play in the search for
appropriate strategies and methods for
orienting multipurpose tree species research for
small-scale farmers. The ideas generated as a
result of this conference will contribute a great
deal to the development of social forestry in
Indonesia, as well asIn other developing
countries.
One of the fundamental goals of Indonesian
forestry development is to improve the
socioeconomic conditions of the people of
Indonesia. Many farmers live in the vicinity of
forests in countless watershed regions.
Programs to improve the,standards of living for
rural communities in these areas include various
economic opportunities in agroforestry, forest
resource industries, and community forestry.
In many areas of Indonesia reforestation
campaigns have had an encouraging impact on
local economic growth, and have led to a
notable increase in the tree stand volume of
various species. These gains have contributed
significantly to the rchabilitation of degraded
land, and in turn to the preservation ofa viable
environmental balance inthe region. Common
products of these multipurpose trees include
wood for handicrafts, construction and energy.
A survey on fuelwood for household energy
in East Java indicatei that the per capita
consumption is 0.5m per annum. If 50% of the
East Javan rural households depend on
fuelwood for their daily energy needs, the
aggregate demand will consume between 6-7
million m 3 of wood every year. The majority of
the survey's respondents indicated that the
fuelwood for their energy supplies came directly
from the multipurpose tree species planted on
their farms. Farmers also plant multipurpose
trees for soil and water conservation, thus
contributing to the preservation of the
environmental balance.
We are pleased to note that a field trip to
Sukabumi in West Java is one of the hilights
of this conference. Sukabumi is one of-
Opening Cremony
Address by the Honorable Hasjrul Harahap
Minister of Forestry, Republic ofIndonesia
9
Indonesia's success stories where local farmers
have grown stands of Paraserianthesfalcataria
through their own initiative. This is one of the
most popular indigenous multipurpose tree
species in Indonesia.
In reference to the agenda of this important
conference, to improve the economic welfare of
small-scale farmers while protecting the
environment, I wish to stress a few important
points:
- first, closely study the farmers' economic
characteristics and sociocultural background
in terms of their existence at both the macro
and micro levels;
- second, it isnecessary to keep in mind the
various constraints confronting the farmers as
well as governmental institutions. In this
respect, it isof the utmost importance to gain
an adequate understanding of the Indonesian
Government's programs and policies, especially
as they relate to stratey and operational
planning. Inadequate insight into these aspects
could lead to difficulties in the implementation
of the conference's conclusions and
recommendations; and
- third, the recommendations can only b,
carried out effectively if they are accompanied
by pragmatic considerations. By necessity they
should be well within the reach of all the
relevant parties, from the farmer beneficiaries
to the various governmental institutions and the
private seclor.
Before I conclude this speech, I would like to
say that the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry
greatly appreciates the sponsorship of this
conference by Winrock International Institute
for Agricultural Development, the U.S. Agency
for International Development, and the
International Development Research Centre of
Canada.
This conference will be of immense benefit to
the participants and observers representing
various regional institutions. Valuable ideas
and information will be treely exchanged among
all participants and interested parties for the
mutual benefit of us all.