Following the Introduction Workshop for Village Facilitators in Tanah Papua, Theodorus Tethool S.Sos., a facilitator working in the village of Yanggandur, one of the villages that are being supported by FORCLIME and the Wasur National Park in Merauke Regency, South Papua Province, recently completed an initial survey of Yanggandur’s forest farmer groups (KTH). The survey, which was undertaken from 1 - 2 August 2023, aimed to identify available community groups in the village and included an evaluation of KTH administration, as well as the types of business products on offer and their marketing. During these two days of activity, Theodorus held meetings and discussions with the Head of Yanggandur Village, KTH Empi Wae Tetepuh (which means, “A group of one heart for a good reason”) and KTH Sederhana.

KTH Empi Wae Tetepuh has 11 members and sells various products, including honey, shredded torajan snakehead fish (gastor), buah merah oil (oil made from Pandanus conoideus), candlenut oil, teh sarang semut (herbal tea made from Myrmecodia pendans) and propolis soap made from black honeybees. Meanwhile, KTH Sederhana has 15 members and sells similar products to Empi Wae Tetepuh KTH, with the addition of cassava and sweet potato chips, eucalyptus oil and virgin coconut oil (VCO).

The results of the initial survey included data on the institutional status of KTH, business products and their production and marketing. Despite the fact that KTH Sederhana has been able to market its products within Merauke and across the province and even at the national level through social media accounts (Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook), marketing issues are still proving a challenge for the Yanggandur Village KTH. Another challenge relates to the need to strengthen organizational institutions and secure product licenses from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).

Over the next six months, Theodorus will facilitate the two KTHs. During this assistance, the village facilitator, working together with the facilitated KTHs, will prepare a work plan that will include capacity-building activities aimed at boosting the sustainability of the farmers’ group’s business in the village.

For further information, please contact:
Theodorus Tethool, Yanggandur Village Facilitator
Ruben Yogi, GIS and Mapping Advisor
Rut Ohoiwutun, Community Forest and Customary Forest Advisor