For Residents In Forest Areas, The Minister Of Manpower Asks To Have Agrophorestry Skills

JAKARTA - Indonesian Minister of Manpower (Menaker) Yassierli asked people around forest areas to have good agroforestry skills so that they can contribute to the family economy.

"We want the village community around the forest area to have good agroforestri skills so that they can contribute to the family's economy without destroying the forest," said Minister of Manpower Yassierli quoting Antara.

This was conveyed by the Minister of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia while attending the opening of the "Human Resources Empowerment (HR) of the Agroforestri Farmers Forestry Sector" training at the Padang Vocational and Productivity Development Center (BPVP), West Sumatra (West Sumatra). The training is a synergy program between the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Forestry.

To note, agrophorestry is a land management system that combines trees with agricultural or livestock plants in one management unit.

Yassierli said the training was part of a national program to improve labor skills in potential sectors based on locality.

Agrophorestry skills are believed to be a solution for the community, especially those living around forest areas, to support sustainable livelihoods, without having to damage the forest ecosystem.

For the training participants, the Minister of Manpower advised them to take advantage of the opportunity well, including by learning as well as possible and strengthening competencies on agrophorestry.

"Be sure that success starts when we learn together," he ordered.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Padang, Maugus Nasir, said that the local government was grateful for the training because it could be one of the great potentials in absorbing employment opportunities.

"This is a strategic opportunity to encourage employment in the forestry sector through an agrophorestry approach as well as a potential solution in reducing unemployment," he said.

On the other hand, he is optimistic that the potential of available forest resources can be utilized productively and sustainably with a synergy program between the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Forestry.

In the future, he added, the Padang City government will follow up on the program through the cooperation between the Padang City Government and the Ministry of Manpower through the Employment Training Center (BLK) as well as cooperating with the West Sumatra Provincial Forestry Service.