The Lore Lindu Biosphere Reserve (LLBR) area is rich in a diversity of flora and fauna, including orchids. It is estimated that some 100 species of orchid can be found in the LLBR, some of which are endemic species. Communities around LLBR often cultivate orchids as an alternative source of income due to the high prices and strong demand associated with this iconic flower.

Three villages around the LLBR are actively cultivating orchids, specifically the villages of Karunia, Rejeki and Bahagia, which are located in the district of Palolo in Sigi Regency. In order to improve the sustainability of community businesses and ensure the sustainability of CBLL forest management, FORCLIME, in collaboration with the Faculty of Forestry at Tadulako University and the Center for Integrated Business Services for Cooperatives, Micro-, Small- and Medium-Scale Enterprises (PLUT KUMKM) in the province of Central Sulawesi, recently organised training relating to orchid propagation and digital marketing to an orchid-related women’s group in the three villages in question.

The training session was held on 24 October2021 in Karunia Village and was attended by 21 participants. In terms of orchid propagation, the participants received training in orchid propagation techniques and the conditions required for orchid growth, including climate, media, planting techniques, fertilization and storage. In terms of digital marketing, the material provided related to digital marketing strategies, the optimization of digital marketing and strategies aimed at determining suitable sale prices for orchids.

Suniati, one of the training participants from the village of Bahagia, conveyed her impressions of the training, stating that, ‘The most important thing that I learned was how to promote products online. However, training sessions such as this should be conducted in locations with decent Internet connectivity so that we can practice what we learn directly.’

For more information, please contact:
Ismet Khaeruddin, Senior Advisor for the Biodiversity Focal Point for the KFW Forest Program 3 and Provincial Coordinator for Central Sulawesi
Fikty Aprilinayati, Adviser for Sustainable Forest Management and Biosphere Reserve Management