Gunung Mas, July 30, 2025 – Good Forest Indonesia Foundation held a Training of Trainers (TOT) program on patchouli cultivation for facilitator staff in Sumur Mas Village from July 20 to 23, 2025. This initiative aims to train and equip GFI staff to become trainers for farmers in cultivating patchouli plants in the supported villages in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.

To support this program, GFI collaborated with the patchouli research center in Banda Aceh, Atsiri Research Center (ARC) Syiah Kuala University. GFI invited Ir. Syaifullah Muhammad, S.T., M.Eng., the director and patchouli expert, to deliver the training materials and conduct the patchouli cultivation training for the staff.

Module Development to Cultivation Practices

The TOT activity lasted for 4 days, beginning with a workshop on patchouli cultivation modules and curriculum. Participants then received material on basic cultivation techniques, analysis, and community-based patchouli business strategies. Participants also engaged in practical cultivation activities, including seedling production, planting, fertilization, and harvesting at the patchouli nursery site. During this period, participants also learned about patchouli oil production at the GFI patchouli distillation site in Sumur Mas Village. The TOT program concluded with an evaluation and finalization of the modules, which will be used for the Farmer Field School in Central Kalimantan.

When delivering the material, Syaifullah emphasized to participants the importance of conducting a land suitability survey in Central Kalimantan. This is because the land conditions and temperatures in Aceh and Central Kalimantan differ, which will impact the patchouli cultivation process. Additionally, he suggested developing training programs that encourage changes among farmers.

“Make sure to create training programs that are interesting for farmers. Don’t just focus on physical development, but also non-physical development. Motivate farmers that planting patchouli will bring economic and environmental benefits with the concept of zero waste, where not only the oil is used, but the leaves left over from distillation can also be used as compost to restore soil nutrients,” said the professor from Aceh.

Patchouli as a Short-Term Alternative Income

Also present at the event, Fadhillah Hanum, director of GFI, explained that the patchouli TOT program was organized to support agroforestry-based reforestation programs in Central Kalimantan. GFI introduced patchouli as a short-term income alternative and value chain for farmers who have joined the GFI reforestation program.

“Patchouli was chosen because it has high economic potential. Over the past two years, GFI has developed patchouli cultivation equipped with distillation. Going forward, GFI will target the expansion of the patchouli program in Central Kalimantan through community-based cultivation programs such as providing training, mentoring, seed distribution, monitoring, and facilitating market access,” said the woman who is familiarly called Ririn.

Sustainable Community-Based Patchouli Cultivation Program

At the end, Syaifullah hopes that the implementation of the GFI patchouli cultivation program, integrated with the agroforestry system, will encourage small-scale farmers to become independent and have alternative sources of short-term income.

“In order for the patchouli cultivation program in Central Kalimantan to be successful and sustainable, GFI and the farmers it supports need to develop the patchouli value chain from upstream to downstream. There are various potential patchouli-based products that can be developed by farmer groups and young people, such as cosmetics, perfumes, or simple household products like laundry soap and others. This production can enhance farmers’ confidence and motivation to develop patchouli cultivation and business,” he concluded. (*)