Agroforest farmers offer a solution to global economic and environmental crisis

Bogor, 23 February 2009. Agroforest farmers at the base of Mount Pangrango have managed to export kidney tea (Orthosiphon spp.) leaves product to France. This is a local initiative that has potential to become a solution to global environment and economy crisis.

The People of Ciwaluh Signing a Collaboration with the Mts. Gede-Pangrango National Park

Part 2

Wednesday, 13 August 2008 is a historical day for the people of Ciwaluh. On that day, located in the office of the national park in Cibodas, Bogor, they had a meeting with the Head of Gede-Pangrango National Park. Representatives of Ciwaluh people came to the meeting, facilitated by Telapak.

Kacip Fatimah, the Golden Leaves from the edge of the Mountain

That afternoon Mang Asari, Mang Narim and Mang Odang have just returned from hunting and gathering Kacip Fatimah in the forest of Halimun Mountain. They were have been gone for three days to search for this magic leaves which has a very specific medicinal purpose. Weariness shown in their faces. There were 7 people and for three days they only got 50 kgs of fresh Kacip Fatimah leaves. This is way bellow their harvest volume last year. This is even when they have gone further deep into the forest. Gathering Fatimah is an additional income for them. Usually it gives them a very significant extra income. The price of a kilogram of dried Kacip Fatimah is very expensive.

The People of Ciwaluh Signing a Collaboration with the Mts. Gede-Pangrango National Park - Part 1

Living in harmony with the nature is the spirit of the people of Kampong Ciwaluh. They are different from other people who have the tendency of destroying the forest. The people of Ciwaluh has this conservation spirit from long time ago. This spirit and behaviour has spared the kampong from drought, flood, and erotion. The forested area in Ciwaluh is part of the Mts. Gede-Pangrango National Park area.

Ciwaluh is Heading for Organic Certification

Even though the life style and farming system of Ciwaluh community is done naturally and in harmony with the nature, it is still not an easy thing to get international acknowledgment as a community with organic way of living and producing.