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Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 73 views

Economic Valuation and Marketing of Direct Forest Benefits: A Case Study in the Deli Watershed Area Located in Karo, Deli Serdang, and Medan Municipality, North Sumatra

Introduction

Forests are often viewed as low-value resources by local communities, but in reality, they are invaluable assets that must be maintained and utilized sustainably. The Deli Watershed Area, located in Karo, Deli Serdang, and Medan Municipality, North Sumatra, is a prime example of a region rich in forest resources. This study aims to reveal the economic value and marketing of direct forest benefits in the Das Deli area, highlighting the importance of sustainable forest management and community involvement.

Methodology

To measure the economic value of the benefits of a tangible forest, this research employed the market value and substitution approach. Additionally, the interview method was used to understand the practice of forest use by the community and market chains of the benefits obtained. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the economic potential of forest resources and the importance of community involvement in forest management.

Results

The total economic value of the tangible forest benefits used by the community in the Das Deli reached Rp 12,565,989,865. These benefits include a wide range of forest products, such as wood, wine, sago, areca nut, game animals, bamboo, medicinal plants, rattan, jengkol, petai, langsat, durian, chocolate, rubber, mangosteen, and candlenut. Unfortunately, the use of forest benefits is still traditional and its quality is simple.

Market Chain of Forest Benefits

The market chain of forest benefits in the tangible watershed starts from the collectors, who then sell to the first collectors, second collectors, small traders, and finally consumers. This traditional market chain highlights the need for more structured and sustainable use of forest resources, which can increase economic value and community welfare.

Economic Potential

The benefits of forests revealed in this study show a great economic potential of forest resources. More structured and sustainable use can increase economic value and community welfare. This emphasizes the importance of sustainable forest management and community involvement in forest use.

The Importance of the Role of Society

This research emphasizes the importance of the role of the community in forest management. The community has traditional knowledge and local wisdom that can be integrated in a sustainable forest management strategy. Community involvement is crucial in ensuring that forest resources are used sustainably and that the benefits are equitably distributed.

Challenges and Opportunities

Although there is a great economic potential, the utilization of forest benefits in the Das Deli still faces a number of challenges, such as limited market access and technology, as well as low value-added products. Increasing the capacity of the community and the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) based on forest can be a solution to overcome this challenge.

Conclusion

This research confirms the importance of the value of the forest economy and its contribution to the welfare of the community in the Das Deli. The development of a sustainable and community-based forest use strategy can be the key to preserving forests and increasing economic value for the community. By highlighting the economic potential of forest resources and the importance of community involvement, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and local communities.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Develop a sustainable and community-based forest use strategy: This strategy should prioritize the involvement of local communities in forest management and ensure that the benefits of forest resources are equitably distributed.
Increase community capacity: This can be achieved through training and capacity-building programs that focus on sustainable forest management and entrepreneurship.
Develop MSMEs based on forest: This can help to increase the value-added products and improve market access for forest-based products.
Improve market access and technology: This can be achieved through the development of infrastructure and the adoption of modern technologies that can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of forest-based enterprises.

By implementing these recommendations, the economic value of forest resources can be increased, and the welfare of local communities can be improved.
Economic Valuation and Marketing of Direct Forest Benefits: A Case Study in the Deli Watershed Area Located in Karo, Deli Serdang, and Medan Municipality, North Sumatra

Q&A: Economic Valuation and Marketing of Direct Forest Benefits

Q: What is the economic value of direct forest benefits in the Deli Watershed Area?

A: The total economic value of the tangible forest benefits used by the community in the Das Deli reached Rp 12,565,989,865.

Q: What are the main forest products used by the community in the Deli Watershed Area?

A: The main forest products used by the community in the Deli Watershed Area include wood, wine, sago, areca nut, game animals, bamboo, medicinal plants, rattan, jengkol, petai, langsat, durian, chocolate, rubber, mangosteen, and candlenut.

Q: What is the market chain of forest benefits in the Deli Watershed Area?

A: The market chain of forest benefits in the Deli Watershed Area starts from the collectors, who then sell to the first collectors, second collectors, small traders, and finally consumers.

Q: What are the challenges faced by the community in utilizing forest benefits in the Deli Watershed Area?

A: The community in the Deli Watershed Area faces challenges such as limited market access and technology, as well as low value-added products.

Q: How can the economic value of forest resources be increased?

A: The economic value of forest resources can be increased through the development of a sustainable and community-based forest use strategy, increasing community capacity, developing MSMEs based on forest, and improving market access and technology.

Q: What is the importance of community involvement in forest management?

A: Community involvement is crucial in ensuring that forest resources are used sustainably and that the benefits are equitably distributed.

Q: How can policymakers and practitioners support the development of sustainable forest management in the Deli Watershed Area?

A: Policymakers and practitioners can support the development of sustainable forest management in the Deli Watershed Area by providing training and capacity-building programs, developing infrastructure, and adopting modern technologies that can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of forest-based enterprises.

Q: What are the benefits of sustainable forest management in the Deli Watershed Area?

A: The benefits of sustainable forest management in the Deli Watershed Area include increased economic value, improved community welfare, and preservation of forests.

Additional Questions and Answers

Q: What is the role of traditional knowledge and local wisdom in sustainable forest management?

A: Traditional knowledge and local wisdom play a crucial role in sustainable forest management, as they provide valuable insights into the use of forest resources and the importance of preserving forests.

Q: How can the development of MSMEs based on forest contribute to sustainable forest management?

A: The development of MSMEs based on forest can contribute to sustainable forest management by increasing the value-added products and improving market access for forest-based products.

Q: What is the importance of improving market access and technology in sustainable forest management?

A: Improving market access and technology is crucial in sustainable forest management, as it can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of forest-based enterprises and increase the economic value of forest resources.

Q: How can policymakers and practitioners support the development of sustainable forest management in the Deli Watershed Area?