WHEN FARMERS BECOME DATA AND CHANGE DRIVERS IN KATANJUNG

Amidst the cold night in Katanjung Village, Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan, laughter warms up the discussion in Damang Udur's hut. Mr. Damang is the head of the Forest Farmers Group (KTH) Lestari Hutan Katanjung 1, one of the Social Forestry groups at the forefront of the implementation of the Jangka Benah Strategy example plot, an effort to improve the structure and function of forest ecosystems through oil palm agroforestry techniques, which transforms monoculture oil palm plantations into complex agroforestry without sudden land clearing.

The surrounding community came and gathered to join the discussion and information on the initial biodiversity assessment and participatory mapping that will be conducted over the next few days. The discussion was detailed but warm with the realization of the importance of ownership of this program. The enthusiasm of the community was overwhelming, some people raised their hands as a sign of wanting to join, they were eager to become actors in the activities delivered by WWF-Indonesia.

This baseline data collection activity is a space to measure the impact of the implementation of the Benah Term Strategy program in seeing how the current ecological situation is compared to the next period.

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Collaboration was also key in this activity that took place between February 10-18, 2026. Support came from various parties, ranging from students of Palangka Raya University and Brawijaya University, KPHP Kapuas Hulu, WWF-Indonesia, KTH Lestari Hutan Katanjung 1, to the people of Katanjung Village. All are involved and working together in the field.

This togetherness shows that the Benah Term Strategy does not belong to just one party. This strategy is indeed regulated in Permen LHK No. 9 of 2021 as a step to resolve the persistence of monoculture palm oil in forest areas. But more than that, SJB is a joint effort to restore the ecological function of the forest without ignoring the economic needs of its managers. With the spirit of collaboration, this recovery process becomes more inclusive and provides space for all parties to play a role.
 

The activities started with observations of wildlife consisting of birds, mammals and creepy-crawlies in monoculture oil palm cover, transition from oil palm cover to forest, and remaining forest cover. Furthermore, the team also conducted soil sampling and vegetation observations to assess the current situation. The data will be analyzed to find out how the picture of the oil palm area and the remaining forest cover in the KTH Lestari Hutan Katanjung 1 area. This is also an effort by WWF-Indonesia to encourage ecological improvements in forest areas.

In between activities, the community invites us to look for food such as bamboo shoots, medicines, and forest fruits. This moment opened a space for conversation about the community's habits in utilizing non-timber forest products. This data collection journey is not only one-way, what makes it special is that the team members who collaborate learn from each other about local knowledge and exact knowledge. This proves that even though palm oil is one of the sources of livelihood for some communities, forests still function as useful savings that provide food and economic resources for the community. This simple interaction is precisely what strengthens WWF-Indonesia's commitment as a partner in encouraging the acceleration of ecological environmental improvement.

The Benah Term Strategy (SJB) within the framework of Social Forestry is a gradual approach to improve the condition of forest areas that have already been managed in the form of oil palm monoculture. Through vegetation enrichment patterns, diversification of forestry crops in between oil palms, SJB is a middle way to restore ecological functions without necessarily cutting off community livelihoods.

Social Forestry Strategy.