Working with and empowering local communities in Indonesia is an important component of orangutan conservation.
Local villagers with a bumper potato crop
Thanks to our supporters, The Orangutan Project provides funding to the Scorpion Foundation in Sumatra to provide education and training for local villagers in various farming practices.
One successful project has been intensive potato farming. In late 2022, Scorpion organized potato farming training for the villagers of Ramba Sihasur in South Tapanuli who live near Tapanuli orangutan habitat. An experienced trainer covered numerous topics including how to cultivate land, maintenance, and harvest preparation. Scorpion provided potato seeds for the villagers to grow on their land.
The community was encouraged to develop intensive and sustainable agriculture on their own land to reduce their need to look for additional sources of income from the nearby forest which is home to Tapanuli orangutans.
The villagers have reported over a 10% increase in their monthly income and check out this delicious looking potato crop! They now have the skills to continue this into the future.
