In an effort to reduce pressure on the Tapanuli orangutan's
habitat in the Dolok Sipirok Nature Reserve, Sipirok subdistrict, South
Tapanuli district, Scorpion Indonesia Foundation encourages the indegenous
people and local community in Ramba Sihasur village to reduce their
livelihood-seeking activities in the forest. The foundation assists the
community in two areas of livelihood namely potato farming and freshwater fish
farming. Both areas of livelihood have been in good progress.
For freshwater fish farming, the harvest had been carried
out earlier. Meanwhile, the potato farms just started harvesting on the 11th of
February 2023. In that first harvest, the farmers invited representatives of the
Scorpion Foundation to witness their success in managing the farm.
For the first harvest they produced 1,5 tons of potatoes
which they immediately sold at IDR10,000 per kilogram. Thus, from the first
harvest they earned IDR 15,000,000. The proceeds from the sales of the
potatoes were divided equally by the members of the farmers group.
The Scorpion Foundation assists the community in intensive
agricultural development by increasing agricultural productivity without
expanding land. From the start they had made a commitment not to expand their
land nor to encroach on the orangutan habitat around them.
The potato farming community is a member of two farmers’
groups in Ramba Sihasur village, namely MAWAR farmers’ group, and the SUBUR
farmers’ group. About 50% of program participants are women.
Potato harvesting activities in Ramba Sihasur village.
Harvested potatoes
The farmers collecting potatoes.
