Data were collected by using interview method, literature review, and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The result indicated that most respondents had potential attitude and good knowledge in community forest program, however, they still had less experience in cultivating forest tree. The extension program had not influenced their attitude but had influenced their behavior in the interest to cultivate forestry crops. It is suggested more theoretical and technical extension concerning agroforestry based cultivation are given.

Food sovereignty is the aspiration of many parties and the vision of the Government of Indonesia. Making new fields (sawah), building and repairing irrigation, and provide incentives for the cultivation of food crops is the program being run by the government. On the other hand, the facts show that the conversion of sawah to other uses still exists in many places and cannot be prevented. However, Semende communities living in the upland of South Sumatra to show different performance; they tried to maintain the tradition of sawah at the time of changes in knowledge and the growing population. This study aims to understand and explain the success of the Semende communities in achieving food sovereignty. Research questions answered by qualitative research methods, especially through ethnographic notes concerning sawah management practices by Semende communities. The results showed that the preservation sawah closely related to tunggu tubang tradition and the social conventions of the existence of forests in the upstream region. Sustainability of sawah is the result of consistency and belief of Semende people about important value of sawah as cultural identity and basic capital of the household economy. These beliefs bring forth innovative attitude to maintain the existence of sawah. Therefore, the construction of physical infrastructure to achieve food sovereignty must be accompanied by socio-anthropological approach to the lives of farmers and forest control in the upstream region of sawah by community groups.

Natural forest area is decreasing but planted forest is increasing by years. The main target of establishment of industrial plantation forest is rehabilitating unproductive production forest areas (mitigate land degradation). Plantation forest ecosystem also expected provide some goods and services even though timber production usually become the main service. This paper aims to present data and information about the value of goods and services derived from plantations forest with case studies in the South Sumatra Province. The Total Economic Value (TEV) concept used as the framework to quantify value of the goods and services derived from plantations forest. The TEV concept widely use to measure the utilitarian value of ecosystems to support efficient resources allocation. The result indicates that the economic value of goods and services derived from plantaton forest that reflected by the TEV of plantation forest is about 17,242.72 USD. This value is higher than TEV of natural secondary forest and abandoned peatswamp forest. Its indicates that plantation forest can provide both timber and non-timber benefits that generated by the ecological functions of plantation forest. In peat swamps area, development of plantation forest with adaptive species will support timber producion and mitigate forest land degradation.

Peat swamp forests in Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) Regency have been experiencing dramatic changes caused by timber extraction and fire. These changes are now increasing ecological vulnerability and threatening the livelihoods of communities living in rural areas around these forests. This study investigated the diversity of natural capital-based livelihood strategies for sustainable livelihood in Rengas Merah hamlet, OKI Regency, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia, with a financial analysis approach. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods is used for data analysis. Data were collected using questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. A benefit-cost analysis analyzed the choice of various livelihoods. The result showed that gelam wood harvesting and developing edible bird nests while cultivating rice paddy are feasible as a sustainable livelihood. Natural capital is still a significant asset for the community to achieve sustainable livelihood. The natural capital-based livelihood strategy by directly exploiting natural resources combined with agricultural cultivation is the primary strategy chosen by the community for livelihoods sustainability.

Peatland management cannot be separated from the involvement of men and women. Gender role in farmer’s livelihoods on peatlands are an important factor for the implementation of community livelihood strategies after the policy of prohibiting burning in land management. The research is a survey research using a qualitative approach. The research was conducted in Pulu Beruang Village and Kayu Labu Village, Ogan Komering Ilir Regency. Data collection was carried out through field observations, interviews and Focus Group Discussions conducted in each village. Research indicated that in both villages, the dominant role in agricultural activities is significant by men, while women’s role in household activities. In terms of access to natural resource management, women and men have equal opportunities. The existence of peat management policy that tends to limit men in carrying out their livelihood systems makes women play a role in earning a living. Men dominate asset ownership, but women have an important role in decision making.