The North Kalimantan Provincial Forest Service organized a coordination meeting of Forestry Extension Officers from all Forest Management Units (Kesatuan Pengelolaan Hutan - KPH) in North Kalimantan on 8 to 10 May in Nunukan. In accordance with the theme, the meeting aims to increase the capacity of Forestry Extension to accelerate the Social Forestry programme. The meeting, which was supported by FORCLIME, was attended by extension workers of North Kalimantan KPHs and  community-based forestry extension workers (Penyuluh Kehutanan Swadaya Masyarakat - PKSM).

In their discussions participants identified the obstacles encountered in the field while assisting various Social Forestry schemes, including boundary issues. Encroachment of palm oil plantation is one example encountered by the field facilitators. In addition, the participants also discussed the role of the DG of Extension and Human Resources Development (Badan Penyuluh dan Pengembangan Sumber Daya Manusia - BP2SDM) of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, which is expected to  take the issues raised  to the relevant directorates, pay attention and provide solutions.

In another session, the Samarinda Environmental and Forestry Training and Education Center (Balai Diklat Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan - BDLHK) presented the role of extension workers and PKSM in the facilitation process, including the preparation of the Overall Work Plan (Rencana Kerja Umum - RKU) and Annual Work Plan (Rencana Kerja Tahunan - RKT), which have to be in-line with the current scheme in each KPH. Accordingly, FORCLIME Coordinator of North Kalimantan Province explained that FORCLIME offers support for the activities mentioned, particularly related to improving the capacity of extension workers and PKSM.

As one of the meeting agendas, participants visited a pepper nursery managed by the Sinar Harapan Forest Farmer Group at Bambangan Village, West Sebatik Subdistrict, Nunukan. Pepper is planted using agroforestry systems along with timber species, such as durian (Durio zibethinus) and gamal (Gliricidia sepium).

At the end of the session, the Forest Service and all participants made commitments to ensure the active role of forestry extension workers to accelerate the Social Forestry programme, including improving the structure of the Working Group on Social Forestry Acceleration in North Kalimantan. This session was facilitated by the Head of Extension, Community Empowerment and Customary Forest Department of the North Kalimantan Provincial Forest Service.

For more information, please contact:
Mohammad Sidiq, Province Coordinator North Kalimantan
Edy Marbyanto, Strategic Area Manager, Human Capacity Development