Wild Sumatra Eco-Tourism became a Professionals International project partner in June 2013. It started before we adopted quarterly metric reporting in 2019. Some data (impact stories in particular) are after that date. Wild Sumatra continues to make a difference in their region and local communities. The project finished with Professionals International in September 2024 as it became more sustainable and finished up its agreement.

Significant Challenge (s)

Bengkulu, Indonesia is a remote region on the Sumatra Island. It takes 20-25 hours on a bus to venture there from the Jakarta airport. There is no easy access to this part of the island. Large portions of the province are natural forests, majestic waterfalls, and white sandy beaches.

For a number of years, as land use changed to more settlements, palm oil plantations, and agricultural use, it created a deforestation problem. Conflicts between government control and indigenous land owners had also made these issues complex. Indigenous land owners wanted to use their land to grow food, medicinal plants, and crops (such as coffee beans) to support their families.

Some attempts had been made to help communities harvest NTFPs (non-timber forest products) and allow indigenous communities to give evidence on how they are the better environmental care keepers of their own region.

Satisfying Solution

Wild Sumatra Eco-Tourism helped to stimulate the local economy and promote forest restoration through ecotourism in one of the most economically disadvantaged areas of Bengkulu, Indonesia. They worked with rural communities to empower local guides, helped connect them with off-the-beaten-path adventurers looking for authentic trekking and cultural experiences in the Bengkulu region.

Note: due to the impact of COVID (2020-2022) on tourism, they expanded their efforts to include sustainable coffee production and agricultural research and development. They worked with their local communities to provide training which empowered the local cultures to take pride in themselves, their culture, and their environment.

Business Activities Geared Towards Promoting Economic Growth While Preserving Life On Land:

Target: Promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products (From target 8.9)

Target: Promote the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of local ecosystems (Adapted from target 15.1)

Stories of Substantial Benefits

Prior to 2020, they have been privileged to see a village grow in its promotion and development of a local tourist destination of waterfalls and hot springs. When they initially started taking guests to this area, it was largely unknown and undeveloped. They were able to help the locals by promoting the location as well as giving input and direction to its development. Many natural and ecologically-minded improvements were initially suggested by Wild Sumatra, which positively influenced the locals' decisions in such matters. A big victory as it’s about the locals exercising ownership over the use, development, and goals of this area without constantly looking to those from the outside.

During 2020, the eco-tourism project halted all tourism operations due to COVID-19 restrictions, with no guests expected. Local guide training was suspended, and the focus shifted to developing the guesthouse property and strengthening relationships with neighboring farmers. The team began conducting limited surveys of new tourist sites, including Mt. Seblat and a new rock climbing face, in partnership with local villages.

On the agricultural side, the project intensified farming efforts, sharecropping with local farmers and growing tomatoes, peppers, ginger, and corn. Additionally, they explored producing premium Robusta coffee, recognizing that the drying and sorting process was a key challenge for local farmers. Informal training on coffee production began, aiming to help farmers improve their skills. Financially, they remained stable but were prepared to adjust depending on reserves, while construction plans for the guest house moved forward after receiving a building permit.

During 2021-2022, the eco-tourism project expanded its operations to include coffee farming, despite ongoing challenges due to COVID-19. In-house trainings were still suspended, and tourism activity remained slow, with tours only beginning to pick up by late 2022. However, the team made significant strides in farm development and community partnerships. They constructed a caretaker house on the farm, utilizing almost exclusively local labor and businesses. Their sharecropping program grew to include three families, allowing them to cultivate rice and vegetables on different areas of the farm. Additionally, they began networking with local farmers to encourage the cultivation of Arabica coffee, aiming to improve the financial prospects of these farmers by expanding coffee production in the region.

The project addressed key challenges local farmers faced in drying their coffee beans. Many farmers struggled with slow drying times, which led to mold and poor-quality beans. The team shared their experience with faster drying techniques using a drying house, demonstrating how this method could lead to higher-quality coffee and increased profits. Several farmers showed interest in adopting similar drying practices.

While COVID-19 disrupted much of their tourism activity, the project continued to build relationships, support local communities, and expand its agricultural and tourism initiatives for long-term sustainability.

In 2023-2024, the eco-tourism project made significant strides by integrating livestock into its farming operations and expanding its use of organic methods. They introduced over 800 ducks, using them for both egg and meat production, as well as a natural way to manage grass and weeds while fertilizing the soil. Ducks roamed the farm, eating snails and parasitic plants, and their manure was repurposed to enhance soil health, especially around coffee trees. The farm also adopted a new organic fertilizer technique called Jakaba, made from bamboo roots, which introduced beneficial microbes into the soil, further improving soil and tree health. Alongside this, they planted citronella to ward off pests and produce citronella oil, using the by-products to spray crops.

The guest house, which had been under construction, was finally completed and furnished, hosting its first groups, including a family and a group of college students, allowing the team to fine-tune their hospitality services. By mid-2024, they began hosting local guests and expanded their customer base, setting up internet service (Starlink) to enhance the guest experience. A local manager was still needed to oversee operations, but they were beginning to stabilize after the challenges of the pandemic.

The project’s focus on organic farming was also gaining recognition, as local farmers began adopting techniques like nitrogen-fixing ground cover, reducing the use of harmful chemicals. The introduction of ducks as part of coffee farming drew interest from local farmers, who saw the potential to improve coffee quality and production. Moreover, the farm eliminated the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides, solidifying its fully organic status. Visits from local farmers and government officials further highlighted the farm’s growing influence in sustainable agriculture, particularly its pioneering work in Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) production for duck feed and fertilizer. This initiative attracted attention from nearby villages, which saw the potential for financial and environmental benefits from adopting similar waste management and farming practices.

Tourism slowly recovered, and the team resumed hosting agro-tourism experiences, such as "The Coffee Experience," which allowed guests to explore the coffee-making process from tree to cup. These tours not only supported the local economy but also helped educate visitors about the challenges faced by coffee farmers. The farm’s Instagram channel and weekly tours continued to showcase its organic and conservation techniques, cementing its role as a model for sustainable farming in the region. Despite inflation and political tensions, the project remained resilient, continuing to influence local agriculture and provide educational and economic opportunities to the community.

Wild Sumatra Eco-Tourism became a Professionals International project partner in 2013. It started before we adopted quarterly metric reporting in 2019. Some data (impact stories in particular) are after that date. Wild Sumatra continues to make a difference in their region and local communities. The project finished with Professionals International in September 2024 as it became more sustainable and finished up its agreement.