West Sumbawa, 26 June 2025 - In Talonang Village, West Sumbawa (KSB), West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), trees are planted not just to green the forest—but also to grow hope. Behind this, one of Indonesia's largest copper and gold mining companies, PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMMAN), is present with a Social Forestry program as a form of collaboration with surrounding communities to grow together in managing the local forest potential.
This Social Forestry program is a tangible manifestation of the philosophy: from the forest, for a sustainable local economy. More than just planting trees, this program builds a sustainable ecosystem that actively involves forest-dwelling communities, empowering Forest Farmers Groups (KTH) to manage the forest sustainably while gaining economic benefits legally and continuously.
At the inaugural tree planting event in Talonang Village some time ago, Priyo Pramono, Vice President of Policy Permitting & Social Impact at AMMAN, stated that this program is part of AMMAN's commitment to delivering long-term benefits to the community through sustainable forest management. “We believe that forests can always provide significant economic benefits to the community. This program is our effort to work together with surrounding communities to preserve the forest and utilize its produce sustainably for current and future generations.”
In line with this, the Head of the Environmental and Forestry Agency of NTB Province, Julmansyah, S.Hut, M.AP period 2022-2025, said, “This program is a tangible manifestation of collaboration between the government, businesses, and the community in promoting inclusive and sustainable forest management. We strongly support AMMAN's efforts to strengthen community capacity through the social forestry scheme.”
The '3 Manage' Approach: Integration for Sustainability
The uniqueness of this program lies in its '3 Manage' approach: managing the area, managing institutions, and managing businesses. It's not just about planting, nurturing, and harvesting. Through this program, AMMAN ensures that KTH understands sustainable forest governance, can build strong group institutions, and can manage harvests to become economically valuable products.
Diversification of plants is key. In addition to prioritizing local superior commodities, such as corn, an agroforestry system is applied by planting high-economic-value trees such as Jackfruit, Avocado, Longan, Eucalyptus Oil, Sengon, Mango, and Petai. This strategy creates ecological and economic balance.
The initiation of this project began with a series of strategic steps, starting with a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) assessment to explore community potential and needs and ending with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between AMMAN and the NTB Provincial Government regarding forest governance in the company's concession area and its surroundings.
This step is strengthened by a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) between AMMAN and the NTB Environmental and Forestry Agency (DLHK), focusing on community development and empowerment through the Social Forestry scheme. Its implementation is realized through a demo plot cooperation with three Forest Management Units (KPH): Sejorong Mataiyang, Brang Rea Puncak Ngengas, and Brang Beh. Currently, the development of demo plots covering up to 20 hectares is underway, involving hundreds of farmers and families from four KTHs under these three KPHs.
The Head of KPH Sejorong Mataiyang, Syahril, expressed his enthusiasm for this initiative as a new opportunity for local communities to improve their livelihoods while preserving the forest. “We are very grateful for this opportunity. This program truly empowers local communities living in forest areas. This is a tremendous new opportunity and potential for them to improve their livelihoods and jointly preserve the forest.”
The story in Talonang Village reflects a meaningful collaboration between the government, community, and private sector in managing natural resources, not only as environmental assets but also as a source of sustainable economic life for a better future.
