Plant 1.000.000 Trees in Indonesia Damaged Forest

Yayasan INFEST, in collaboration with the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, conducted a monitoring activity to assess the progress of an agroforestry demonstration plot in Blora Regency, Central Java. The monitoring was conducted on 10 October 2025 in the Ngrawoh Village Forest, with the primary objective of assessing progress in community-based agroforestry conservation management and evaluating local practices in plant maintenance.

The monitoring involved several key stakeholders, including the Village Head, Village Secretary, the Head of the Farmer Group, and representatives of community members. The assessment focused on a coffee-based agroforestry demonstration plot, developed as part of broader efforts to rehabilitate degraded forest areas while strengthening local livelihoods. The plants in the demonstration plot had been distributed to community members in April 2025, making this monitoring activity essential to assess plant survival, maintenance quality, and the level of community engagement in land management.

The monitoring results indicate that active community involvement in plant maintenance is a critical determinant of the success of the agroforestry demonstration plot. High levels of participation not only contribute to plant sustainability but also strengthen community ownership of collectively managed forest areas. In this context, the demonstration plot serves a dual function as a collective learning space and a practical example of sustainable forest management, integrating ecological conservation objectives with economic production.

Monitoring of the 5-hectare demonstration plot revealed strong community interest and commitment to maintaining the plants and further developing conservation and agroforestry areas. This enthusiasm is reflected in consistent plant care practices, healthy plant growth, and active community discussions on managing the area as a long-term source of livelihood, aligned with forest protection efforts.

What Do We Aim to Achieve?

Through this agroforestry initiative, INFEST, together with its partners and village communities, has set the following medium- and long-term objectives:

1. Restore 1.000 hectares of degraded forest areas in Blora Regency, Central Java, and Ngawi Regency, East Java.
2. Develop 500 hectares of agroforestry areas, integrating short-term production crops, long-term production crops, timber species, and other conservation plants to support ecological and economic sustainability.
3. Designate 500 hectares as wildlife protection areas, which will not be used for production purposes. These areas will be planted with endemic species, water-retaining plants, and vegetation that provides food and shelter for wildlife.

This approach is designed to ensure a balanced integration of forest ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection, and improved local community welfare.

How Can You Contribute?

The sustainability of this initiative relies on public participation and the support of its partners. You can contribute by:

• Supporting the procurement of seedlings, community training, and planting activities in forest areas through donations via the GlobalGiving platform.

Your support will help accelerate forest restoration efforts, strengthen community capacity, and ensure that agroforestry and conservation areas deliver long-term ecological and socio-economic benefits.