Mangrove Rehabilitation & Increasing Women's Group Income through Home-Based Business (Mangrove-Based Food Products) in Torsiaje, Pohuwato District

 
Mangrove revegetation site

Mangrove revegetation site, Torsiaje, Pohuwato District, Gorontalo © MFF IUCN, 2015

Objectives

To improve sustainable mangrove area through mangrove rehabilitation and to improve women’s groups livelihood through mangrove-based food production

Background

The mangrove ecosystems of Torosiaje cluster (Torosiaje, Torosiaje Jaya and Bumi Bahari villages) are mostly associated with sea grass and coral reef, with long frequent inundation.

Based on the quantified spatial analyses, the Torosiaje cluster has a total of 402.62 ha mangrove areas, divided into mangrove forest (181.80 ha) and potential mangrove areas/open area (220.82 ha). The potential mangrove areas defined as open areas which ecologically has potential for mangrove growth, and then added by feasibility variable and considering social aspect as well as spatial plan.

Based on the total areas, it is clear that the mangrove forest has less areas than the non-forested areas. This indicates changes of land cover and land use in the cluster villages. The satellite imagery shows that most of the mangrove areas in Torosiaje Jaya village has been converted into fish ponds.

Threats to mangrove ecosystem are closely linked to direct interaction of local community to the mangrove areas. It is indicated that land conversion for fish ponds and fire-woods collection for domestic uses are considered as two main threats for mangrove forests in this area. On the other hand, the human transportation by engine boat often destruct newly planted mangrove seedlings.

Target beneficiaries

300 village residents and 10 members of the women's group in Torosiaje.

Outputs

  1. 5 women’s groups from 3 villages (a total of 50 households) received training on food production from mangrove (5 kinds of mangrove-based products);
  2. Leaflets containing products made by women’s groups were distributed to local government offices in Pohuwato and Gorontalo University members;
  3. Women’s groups were granted a certificate in safety food of home-based business products;
  4. Additional income generated was ranging from IDR 200,000 – 385,000/person per month;
  5. In close coordination with another SGF Grantee (KSL Paddakauang), 95,000 mangrove seedlings were planted to rehabilitate 7 ha of mangrove area. The growth rate was 87%;
  6. A module containing the steps of mangrove fruit processing and mangrove-based food recipes was developed and printed out.

Accomplishments and challenges

  • A total of 3 women's groups were established, where each group consisted of 10 members (total 30 people);
  • Training on the production of mangrove-based food products (cakes, crackers) was conducted;
  • A total of 144.000 seedlings of Rhizopora sp. (of the originally proposed 93,000) had been planted in rehabilitation areas of Sitabangan sub-village. Total rehabilitation areas: 9 ha;
  • The women's groups had produced around 10,400 boxes of mangrove-based food products. valued for almost IDR 5 million. The products were marketed locally. A health certificate had been received from local Health Office. However, the quality and quantity of the products still needed improving;
  • Both women and men actively engaged in both restoration and livelihood activities.

Contributions to cross-cutting themes

- Disaster risk reduction

95,000 mangrove seedlings were planted to rehabilitate 7 ha of mangrove area.

- Gender equality

5 women’s groups from 3 villages (a total of 50 households) received training on food production from mangrove (5 kinds of mangrove-based products). The women's groups had produced around 10,400 boxes of mangrove-based food products valued for almost IDR 5 million. The products were marketed locally. A health certificate had been received from local Health Office. However, the quality and quantity of the products still needed improving. Both women and men actively engaged in both restoration and livelihood activities.

- Knowledge management and communications

Leaflets containing products made by women’s groups were distributed to local government offices in Pohuwato and Gorontalo University members.

 

Lessons Learned

  • Involving communities in the mangrove rehabilitation activities should consider their availability and daily activities. Most of them are fishers, so during the weekdays they will go fishing, and during the weekends (market days) their wives will go to the market to buy a whole week supplies for the family;
  • The location of nursery site should also consider traffic lane of fishing vessels. A structure can be build as a fence or border to mark and separate nursery site from boat lane; 
  • Avicennia fruits are only available during certain seasons. Therefore the production of mangrove-based food using Avicennia as the main ingredient can only be done in particular periods.

Country

Location

Torsiaje, Pohuwato District, Gorontalo

Topic

Duration

6th May 2014 to 5th May 2015

MFF Grant Amount

IDR 199,150,000

Implementing Partner

Pusat Kajian Ekologi Pesisir berbasis Kearifan Lokal (PKEPKL) -  Jurusan Biologi - UNG

Gedung N. ruang1.10, Kampus UNG.

Jalan Jend. Sudirman No. 6 Kota Gorontalo-96128

Contact person: Prof. Ramli Utina (Head of PKEPKL)

Email: ramliutina@yahoo.com

Related Images

  • Floating cage system
  • Women’s group participating in mangrove planting
  • Mangrove growth at rehabilitation area

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