Potential development of non-timber forest products in the Sapat Village Forest Indragiri Hilir Regency

Abstract

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are an important source of livelihood and forest sustainability. Village Forest (VF) is a social forestry program that can help to promote NTFP development. This study aimed to assess the potential and strategies for NTFP product development in Sapat VF, Indragiri Hilir Regency, Riau Province, Indonesia. Data were collected using observation, interviews, and literature review. Snowball sampling was used to select informants. SWOT analysis was used to assess the potential for NTFP product development. The results showed that Sapat VF has a high potential for NTFP product development, with a variety of NTFPs such as mangrove crabs, lokan, shrimp, nipah, mangrove fruit, nyirih fruit, and jeruju leaves. The community has a positive attitude towards protecting Sapat VF, as evidenced by their membership in the Supervisory Community Group (SCG). An aggressive strategy was used to develop NTFP products, which is a favorable situation because it has opportunities and strengths that can be exploited.