Carbon funds help East Kalimantan forest community develop stingless bee honey business

Samarinda (ANTARA) - Funding from carbon emission compensation, or carbon funds, has helped facilitate the community in the forest area of Ampen Medang village, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, in developing economic independence through a stingless bee honey cultivation business. “This funding support from carbon emission compensation has greatly assisted the residents of Ampen Medang in multiplying bee colonies, allowing the farming group’s production capacity to surge,” said Hamzah, Head of the Regional Technical Implementation Unit for the Berau Pantai Forest Management Unit (KPHP) of the East Kalimantan Forestry Service, in Samarinda on Friday. According to him, the local community was initially unaware of the natural wealth potential of the sweet liquid from these stingless bees as a promising business opportunity that could yield financial profit. Through a collaborative approach, the forestry technical implementation unit guided the villagers on the high market demand for this herbal product, which is believed to help prevent cancer. “We did not just distribute artificial beehives in the initial stage, but also ensured that the cultivators received advanced skills training from professional course institutions,” Hamzah stated. He explained that the management of this non-timber commodity business also provides an empowerment space for village women to participate in sustainable social forestry activities. The harvest of the honey, which is rich in health benefits, is now packaged in modern 100-millilitre bottles to make it more attractive when participating in various local exhibitions. One practical bottle is marketed for around Rp35,000, providing additional daily income for the managing women’s group fund. “The synergy between environmentally friendly village fund policies and the strong determination of the community is proof that actions to preserve the ecosystem can generate financial independence,” he said. Hamzah added that all elements of the village community are conscious of the need to continuously protect the forest canopy, as the sustainability of their business depends on the availability of bee feed in its natural habitat.