8 Co-engaged Lear ning Pra ctices for Equi ty, Livelih oods and Devel opme nt This community service is conducted three times a year for a two-month period. The programmes are conducted based on principles of win-win solutions, co-creation, co-finance, sustainability and flexibility. The activities conducted by SCS-CEL programmes are also accompanied by independent activities conducted by the Faculty of Forestry in terms of product development and cultivation, and conservation by the Faculty of Biology through the IM-HERE project. Project Activities Dissemination of the Benefits of Pandanus and its Conservation The goal of these activities is to disseminate the economic value of pandanus when it’s processed into products with commercial interest. If villagers know the benefits, they will be aware of the value of traditional knowledge on the use of pandanus and transfer this knowledge, especially to young generations. This socialisation also convinces people of Kemadang Village to use the natural resources of the village wisely and to work towards its conservation. The dissemination of the commercial value of pandanus and the importance of its conservation was conducted at the Village Hall and attended by more than 100 people, including the forum of village women members, reef cadets, the Gadjah Mada University students that will be deployed through SCS-CEL, farmers and fishermen. In this community meeting, SCS-CEL students demonstrated how to make handicrafts using pandanus, while pointing out the importance of conserving the plants to ensure sustainability. The target groups of activities were villagers of Kemadang, since pandanus leaf processing is widely done in this region. Based on the proposals from residents, villagers, community leaders, village heads, 20 people were selected for training. 66 Training Training on the use of pandanus was done for more than two months, with face-to-face meetings every Monday and Tuesday. Wednesdays were dedicated to self practice in the homes of community members. Training for processing and manufacturing of pandanus leaves was done in collaboration with the instructors of the Center for Craft and Batik, while the cultivation training was done with instructors from the Faculty of Biology. Training included: processing of pandanus (colouring); making good products from thin strips; and weaving thin strips into rope. At the end of the training, sessions were held on pandanus cultivation – both vegetative and generative – as well as pilot demonstration plots. The results of this training were encouraging; because of the meetings, participants became capable of producing saleable craft products, such as beach sandals, rope, carpets, chairs anglers, fans, bags, towels, mats, key chains and so on. As an outcome, participants formed a group to begin joint venture projects. The group was named “Makmur Pandan” and the hope is that the enterprise will help Kemadang villagers take full advantage of pandanus. After the training ended, joint venture groups resumed activities by holding meetings every 35 days for further development and evaluation. The meetings consist of skills training. Methodology The purpose of this activity is for stakeholders to give special attention to the results of research and training that can be followed up. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were held at the Village Hall to review progress and source raw materials. These were attended by more than 120 people from joint venture groups (Makmur Pandan) and village forums, as well as by students, reef cadets, members of womens groups, the Department of Plantation and Forestry, Department of Tourism, Social Services, the Tourism Office, the Office of Industry and Trade, Bank (BNI’46) branch composed of Gadjah Mada University and resource persons from Apikri Association of Indonesian Handicraft, Regional Craft Board of Yogyakarta Province, Center for Craft and Batik, Faculty of Economic and Business, Faculty of Biology and RCE Yogyakarta committee board members. FGD results were very encouraging and the local government agreed to follow up on this activity, through activities such as establishing the first pandanus craft The Apikri Association of Indonesian Handicraft products will accommodate pandanus rope products and the Tourism Department will market similar products in the southern coastal region.
Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity
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