Tamalanrea-Makassar. The Faculty of Forestry of Hasanuddin University (Unhas) and the Global Environmental Facility-Small Grants Programme Indonesia (GEF-SGP) Indonesia held a joint discussion to discuss the implementation of cooperation on the impact of climate change on the sustainability of forestry products (NTFPs). The activity took place starting at 14.30 WITA in the Eboni Hall of the KHDTK Unhas Educational Forest, Maros Regency, Monday (9/6/2025).
Present at this activity were Prof. Dr. Ir. A. Mujetahid M., S.Hut., M.P., IPU. (Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Hasanuddin University), Andang Suryana Soma, S.Hut., M.P., Ph.D. (Vice Dean for Planning and Resources, Hasanuddin University), Syahidah, S.Hut., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Vice Dean for Partnership, Research, Innovation and Alumni, Hasanuddin University), Dr. Ir. Bambang Supriyanto, M.Sc. (Social Forestry and Environmental Partnership, Ministry of Environment and Forestry), Sidi Rana Menggala, Ph.D. (National Coordinator of GEF-GSP), Viringga Kusuma (Founder of PT. Amati Indonesia) and the GEF-GSP Team.
Starting the activity, the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Hasanuddin University, Prof. Dr. Ir. A. Mujetahid M., S.Hut., M.P., IPU. conveyed the potential of the Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK) of the Faculty of Forestry, Hasanuddin University Educational Forest which could be developed in collaboration with GEF-SGP.
“Currently, we are developing liquid palm sugar and honey HHBK products coordinated directly by Mrs. Syahidah, one of our lecturers and a palm sugar researcher, and a liquid palm sugar and ant production house has been established, located in the KHDTK Forest Education Forest, Faculty of Forestry, Unhas,” explained Prof. A. Mujetahid.
Prof. A. Mujetahid also conveyed several potentials of KHDTK Educational Forest besides liquid palm sugar, namely, tapping of pine resin, development of palm sugar, development and cultivation of forest honey bees and utilization of environmental services (eco-edu-tourism).
On the same occasion, Sidi Rana Menggala, Ph.D. (National Coordinator GEF-GSP) conveyed the impact of climate change on coffee, sugar palm and clove production in a case study of farmer groups assisted by GEF-SGP Indonesia in Bulukumba / DAS Balantieng.
“Based on the results of the questionnaire distribution, farmers reported that the challenges of climate change have affected the reduced harvest of palm sap and its quality has decreased due to the prolonged rainy season,” explained Sidi.
The season greatly affects the production of palm sap, with high volume but low sugar concentration during the rainy season, and conversely during the dry season high humidity also accelerates the fermentation of the sap which requires faster handling.
Bulukumba Regency in South Sulawesi is heavily dependent on natural resources, which are the backbone of the economy and contribute more than a third of the region’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP). Commodities such as coffee, sugar palm, seaweed and cloves are the main livelihoods for many people.
“Let us prioritize the science to action approach to handling climate change, especially in increasing forestry commodity yields,” said Sidi.
