Estimated Transaction Value of Non-Timber Forest Products in the Nuraksa Grand Forest Park, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

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FORMOSA NEWS

Non-Timber Forest Products in NTB’s Nuraksa Park Worth Rp76.8 Billion Annually

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) harvested from the Nuraksa Grand Forest Park in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, hold a total estimated economic value of IDR 76.84 billion per year. This key finding comes from a study conducted between April and May 2026 by Rizky Setia Bintara, Markum, and Indriyatno from the Department of Forestry at Mataram University. Published in the International Journal of Contemporary Sciences, the research demonstrates that sustainable forest utilization allows local communities to generate substantial income without logging or degrading conservation ecosystems.

The Need for Regional Economic Valuation in Conservation Areas

Rural households residing near protected forests often rely heavily on natural resources for their daily livelihoods. Utilizing non-timber forest products—such as fruits, nuts, and resin—offers an environmentally sound alternative to timber extraction, maintaining the ecological functions of forest stands while supporting economic resilience.

While forest farmers in Nuraksa Grand Forest Park actively trade various non-timber products under conservation partnerships, comprehensive data on the overall economic value of these commodities at the landscape level was previously unavailable. Existing documentation was limited to basic household estimates, preventing policymakers from mapping the true economic potential of the area in a measurable manner.

Simple Methodology and Approach

To evaluate the economic contribution of non-timber forest products across the 1,381.80-hectare landscape, the researchers applied a descriptive quantitative and qualitative methodology. The team surveyed 42 forest farmers selected through proportionate stratified random sampling from a total population of 683 members across 10 Forest Farmers’ Groups (KTH).

The researchers gathered empirical data on crop yields, production costs, market prices, and land sizes. By calculating net farmer incomes and average product values per hectare, the team projected the overall annual economic value across the park's Traditional and Utilization Blocks.

Key Findings and High-Value Commodities

The research revealed that non-timber forest products provide major financial benefits to rural households and the broader regional economy:

• Annual Transaction Value: Forest farmers recorded an average total transaction value of IDR 121,894,136 per managed land area per year from non-timber forest products.
• Net Farmer Income: After accounting for average annual production costs of IDR 4,353,793, farmers earned an average net income of IDR 117,540,342 per managed land area annually (equivalent to IDR 48,475,736 per hectare per year).
• Top Revenue Generators: Durian generated the highest revenue among all cultivated commodities, averaging IDR 46,838,095 per farmer per year. Coffee followed with IDR 25,500,000 per year, and mangosteen produced IDR 21,291,666 per year. High market prices and consistent demand make these three crops commercial powerhouses for local households.
• Most Widespread Crop: Bananas were cultivated by all 42 surveyed farmers due to low production risks, easy management, and continuous harvesting cycles.
• Total Regional Value: Based on an average product value of IDR 55,614,366 per hectare per year, the total estimated economic value of non-timber forest products across the 1,381.80-hectare study area reached IDR 76,847,930,726 annually.

Real-World Impact and Policy Implications

These findings provide actionable insights for forestry managers, regional planners, and conservation authorities:

• Data-Driven Forest Accounting: The management office of Nuraksa Grand Forest Park can use this regional economic valuation to establish a sustainable economic accounting system for better policy decisions.
• Commercial Support for Farmers: Local government agencies should focus infrastructure and market access support on high-value commodities like durian and coffee to maximize community earnings.
• Strengthening Conservation Partnerships: The study confirms that community-based forest management can achieve local economic development alongside nature conservation, serving as a model for social forestry across Indonesia.

"Non-timber forest products prove that community economic activities can thrive alongside conservation goals, generating measurable multi-billion rupiah value at the regional level," noted the research team from Mataram University.

Author Profiles

1. Rizky Setia Bintara, S.Hut.: Researcher in the Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, Mataram University, specializing in forest resource management and environmental economics.
2. Markum, M.Si.: Senior Lecturer and Researcher in the Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, Mataram University, focusing on community forestry and economic valuation of forest ecosystems.
3. Indriyatno, M.Si.: Academic and Lecturer in the Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, Mataram University, specializing in conservation area management and social forestry.

Research Source

• Article Title: Estimated Transaction Value of Non-Timber Forest Products in the Nuraksa Grand Forest Park, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
• Authors: Rizky Setia Bintara, Markum, and Indriyatno
• Journal: International Journal of Contemporary Sciences (IJCS)
• Publication Year: 2026 (Vol. 4, No. 6, pp. 1731–1744)
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/xb22w468
• E-ISSN: 3047-4078
• URL Jurnal: https://journalijcs.my.id/index.php/ijcs