Faculty of Forestry of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a Training of Trainers (ToT) from 12-15 June 2012 in the Multimedia Room of the Faculty for farmers' groups from Yogyakarta, Central Java, West Java and East Java. As many as 60 representatives from Sleman, Kulonprogo, Gunungkidul, Magelang, Purworejo, Wonosobo, Temanggung, Ciamis and Madiun were very enthusiastic about taking this event.
The ToT presented keynote speakers from UGM Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Agricultural Training, Research and Development Station (KP4), Indonesian Medicinal and Aromatic Crops Research Institute (IMACRI), Forestry Board, BPTDAS, successful farmers, Padjadjaran University, and UPN Veteran Yogyakarta.
This farmer group empowerment program is funded by IMHERE UGM and opened by Dean of Faculty of Forestry. In his speech, the Dean, Prof. Dr. Moh. Na'iem, said the event is very important in supporting the new paradigm of 'Forest for Food' by using local species which has high economic value, ie, red meranti or tengkawang.
Dr. Budiadi as IMHERE PIC said that community development programs are embodied in the training group in KP4 and Wanagama UGM, assistance to People's Seeds Garden (KBR), the sending of field practice students and field assistance. In addition, as many as 150,000 red meranti seedlings are given to 22 farmer groups in each village of the nine Regencies. Agroforestry is expected to increase land productivity, welfare and health.
Dr. Cahyono Agus, Executive Director of IMHERE UGM as well as Chairman of KP4, said that community forest has an important role in the development of integrated farming, which could provide food, feed, shelter, medicine, water, energy, natural resources and environment so as to have a short, medium, and long term economic value. Community forest is also able to make a significant contribution to improving the welfare, the environment, and sustainability of life for all living creatures on this earth.
This ToT was attended by heads or representatives of the provincial and regency forestry boards, such as Forestry and Plantation Board of Yogyakarta, Head of Serayu- Opak -Progo BPDAS, Forestry and Plantation Board of Kulonprogo, and ADM Perhutani Saradan. Field visit and practice are also held in Agroforestry Herbal, Kulonprogo, also rehabilitation of critical land in Wanagama, in Nglanggeran Community Forest and Perhutani’s Forest Saradan. ABCG (Academic, Business, Community, Government) Network is expected to be established to improve welfare, environment and sustainable development.