PhD Scholar
Strategies to enhance the implementation of small-scale commercial tree growing in Indonesia
E-mail: ani.adiwinata@anu.edu.au

Indonesia is continuing to experience large-scale forest loss and degradation. Some 21.7 million ha of 127 million ha of natural forest were lost in the decade to 2000; and timber production has decreased significantly. Small-scale commercial tree growing can potentially fill some of the gap in national wood supply, and contribute to enhancing local livelihoods. There are currently three major schemes: farm forestry (Hutan Rakyat), community forestry (Hutan Kemasyarakatan), and community-company partnership (Kemitraan).

This research seeks to inform policies to enhance the implementation of commercial tree growing, by exploring issues associated with the three current schemes. Research questions are:

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of the three current schemes in terms of management, socioeconomics, and policy framework?
• What are the benefits and costs (in both social & economic terms) of the three existing schemes in comparison to other investment options using the same lands?
• What does this analysis suggest are the relative advantages of small-scale commercial tree growing in the wood production strategies?
• How does this information and analysis inform the design and implementation of policies to promote small-scale commercial tree growing?

The research methods comprise descriptive qualitative and Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) based on empirical data. Scenario models will be developed using the results of the economic analysis, to assess the impacts of policy options.