From Palm Oil to Agroforestry: Muara Kilis Farmers Cultivate Hope

In the heart of Muara Kilis, Trimansyah and Kliwon have transitioned from oil palm farming to tending thriving agroforestry plots brimming with coffee, areca nuts, peppers and meranti seedlings. Supported by Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), this change represents a significant step towards sustainability. “Coffee changed everything,” says Trimansyah, explaining how growing it alongside palm trees has increased their income while preserving the forest. Kliwon adds, ‘We’re no longer clearing new land. These crops coexist with nature.

Their story reflects a wider shift in Bukit Tigapuluh, where FZS initiatives have led to the restoration of over 72 hectares of forest through agroforestry. A community initiative to slow deforestation is gaining momentum: in April 2025 alone, 1,600 coffee and 65 durian seedlings were planted within four hectares of their social forestry land. There is also growing local interest in cloves, nutmeg and cocoa.

Routine communal activities at the nurseries, including weeding and shade net maintenance, guarantee a steady supply of seedlings. Although issues remain, such as wild boars damaging avocado trees, the community remains unwavering. “Our children will see healthier forests,” says Trimansyah with a smile. Farmers like him offer hope for the future by restoring ecosystems while simultaneously improving human livelihoods.

This initiative is part of the FZS Indonesia Program in the Bukit Tigapuluh landscape, where we work to conserve one of Sumatra’s last remaining lowland rainforests.

Supporting sustainable land use in surrounding buffer zones like Muara Kilis complements our efforts inside the national park — helping restore ecological connectivity, reduce pressure on protected areas, and strengthen local livelihoods through community-driven conservation.