KUPS Harapan Baru: Promoting Community Economy in Sustainable Forest Management

Forests are valuable assets that provide various benefits for human life and the environment. Besides offering many advantages, forests also serve as a source of livelihood for communities living nearby. However, forest management often faces various challenges, such as conflicts between conservation interests and economic needs. Many efforts have been made to address these issues, one of which is through management conducted by Social Forestry Business Groups (KUPS) aimed at promoting community economic sustainability by utilizing the potential of village forests.

KUPS plays an important role as an instrument in promoting sustainable economies through various initiatives focusing on the empowerment of women in sectors related to forest resources. For example, the ongoing economic activities managed by the community are carried out through the women’s group KUPS Harapan Baru under the Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD) Rio Kemunyang, Durian Rambun Village, which focuses on developing the "Kopi Nilo" business through the PES (Payment for Ecosystem Services) scheme.

The role of women’s groups in Durian Rambun Village has a significant influence, one of which is as the primary party responsible for the coffee production process. This includes everything from planting coffee seedlings, maintaining the plants, harvest time, processing, and ensuring the coffee bean quality meets expected standards. They are also involved in marketing the coffee products, sales, and distribution to local as well as export markets. The involvement of women in marketing Kopi Nilo contributes significantly to increasing the income of families and the local community.

The Kopi Nilo product is not merely a local farmers’ harvest but also a symbol of efforts to build a sustainable local economy. Through the PES financing scheme, which serves as one of the funding sources for farmer groups to develop their business. In this context, KUPS Harapan Baru acts as the spearhead in distributing Kopi Nilo to local and national markets.

Empowerment efforts and capacity building in forest management are not only carried out in economic activities but also address gender mainstreaming issues within the PES scheme. This encourages active participation of women in business groups to contribute economically, participate in decision-making, and strengthen their role in society by responsibly utilizing forest resources.

Ultimately, this demonstrates that women’s groups play a very important role in their village’s welfare. It shows that women are capable and face no limitations in participating in village forest management. Therefore, women not only become active economic actors but also agents of change in improving community welfare, especially in Durian Rambun Village.