WartaBulukumba.Com – In the majestic Arenga pinnata, the scientific name for palm trees, the life of palm sugar farmers is like the tall and sturdy trunk of a nectar-producing tree, supporting leaves that dance in the wind, holding the secret of a simple but colorful life in remote areas Bulukumba. One of them is in the Balantieng River Watershed (DAS) area. Every day, palm sugar farmers faithfully visit these trees, following in the footsteps of their ancestors who have long established symbiosis with nature. In their hands, the sweet wash of palm nectar becomes sugar, bringing life and hope. The palm tree is also a symbol of environmental awareness, linking the harmonious relationship between humans and nature. A small revolution is underway. In the middle of a lush palm plantation, 100 palm sugar farmers, along with their families, gathered to learn something that might change their future and the surrounding environment: knowledge about climate change.

Also Read: Dana Mitra Tani trains palm sugar farmers from 12 villages in Bulukumba: Production and ecosystem preservation Community of environmentally conscious palm sugar farmers Chairman of Dana Mitra Tani, Sri Puswandi (plaid shirt)//WartaBulukumba.Com This initiative, which was spearheaded by Dana Mitra Tani, not just ordinary training. This is a movement towards sustainable climate change adaptation and mitigation, especially in the Balangtieng River Watershed (DAS) area.

This educational activity does not only reach one or two villages, but extends to 12 villages in three sub-districts: Rilau Ale, Kindang, and Bulukumpa. Chairman of Dana Mitra Tani, Sri Puswandi, said that this is clear evidence of Dana Mitra Tani’s commitment to creating an environmentally conscious palm sugar farming community. “This activity is also an integral part of their program to develop and assist the brown sugar farming community,” explained Sri Puswandi to WartaBulukumba.Com on Saturday, January 13 2024. Also Read: Farmers from 12 villages in Bulukumba together with Dana Mitra Tani and UNDP support recovery Balangtieng watershed ecosystem Why focus on palm sugar farmers? The answer lies in the significance of palm sugar as a local product with great potential in the regional economy. “Dana Mitra Tani sees this as an opportunity to integrate sustainable agricultural practices with preserving the Balangtieng watershed ecosystem,” he explained. With assistance from the Global Environment Facility – Small Grants Program (GEF-SGP), the Environmental Business Development Foundation, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), they were able to bring this vision into reality. This education is not merely theoretical. In each class, which was attended by 30 farmers from four villages, participants were invited to understand how climate change directly affects their lives and the sustainability of their businesses. Also Read: Teach4Hope from KitaBisa provides free pre-employment training for people with disabilities in Bulukumba, South Sulawesi Proklim KLHK Muhammad Ardi Nur, S.Kel, M.Si from the Bulukumba Regency Environment and Forestry Service (DLHK), brings insight and direct experience in controlling pollution and environmental damage, providing practical and applicable guidance to farmers. Apart from that, Dana Mitra Tani is also preparing several villages to be registered in the Climate Village Program (Proklim) initiated by the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

Collaboration with the Bulukumba Regency Environment and Forestry Service paves the way for effective implementation of this program. The Mitra Tani Fund initiative is more than just training; this is an effort to build awareness and capacity at the grassroots level. “Through this education, it is hoped that 100 farming families will not only have better knowledge about climate change, but will also be ready to take concrete steps in adapting and mitigating its impacts,” stressed Sri Puswandi. This activity opened the farmers’ eyes about the importance of maintaining natural balance while running their business. Climate change education for palm sugar farmers is more than just a transfer of knowledge. It is a dialogue, exchange of ideas, and collaboration between various parties: farmers, government, environmental agencies, and the general public. This program proves that climate change is not only a global problem, but also a local one, requiring action at all levels. Through this assistance and training, Dana Mitra Tani does not only focus on environmental aspects. This program also has social and economic impacts. With more sustainable agricultural practices, palm sugar farmers are expected to increase their productivity and production quality. It’s not just about making palm sugar, but making it in a way that minimizes negative impacts on the environment.***

Source Article entitled “The face of Bulukumba from palm sugar farmers: Sowing environmental awareness in the Balantie watershed

 with Dana Mitra Tani”, in full with the link: https://wartabulukumba.ikiran-rakyat.com/ekobis/pr-877587121/hadap-bulukumba-dari-petani-gula-aren-mememai-kesadaran-lingkungan-di-das -balantieng-bersama-dana-partner-tani?page=all