Community Empowerment in Rehabilitation Activities Using Agroforestry Patterns: A Study in Loa Haur Training Forest, Kutai Kartanegara Regency

Abstract

Community empowerment is a cornerstone of forest rehabilitation programs that apply agroforestry patterns, because sustained outcomes depend on local participation and the delivery of tangible socio-economic benefits. When participation is limited, rehabilitation initiatives often struggle to meet their objectives over the long term. This study aimed to (i) assess the level of community participation in agroforestry-based rehabilitation activities and (ii) identify factors associated with participation in the Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK) of the Loa Haur Training Forest, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The study was conducted from November 2022 to January 2023 in Tanijaya Hamlet, Batuah Village, using observations, questionnaires, and interviews with participating farmers and relevant local stakeholders. Participation was examined across two stages—planning and implementation—and its relationships with internal and external factors were analyzed. The results indicate that participation is associated with multiple internal factors. At the planning stage, land area managed, proximity to the BDK management center, income level, intrinsic motivation, and extrinsic motivation show significant relationships with participation; at the implementation stage, education level, proximity to BDK, income level, intrinsic motivation, and extrinsic motivation are significant. Participation is also associated with external factors. At the planning stage, BDK rules regarding participants’ rights and obligations, land distance, plant age and productivity, government support, and the attractiveness of cooperation are significant; at the implementation stage, these factors remain significant and are complemented by the availability of agricultural inputs. Based on these findings, empowerment strategies should prioritize strengthening human resources (BDK staff and farmers), improving technical skills in forest management, intensifying program socialization and action planning, enhancing cross-sector collaboration to address operational constraints, and strengthening central government engagement to support implementation and sustainability.