Bridging the Gap Between Economics and Ecology in Peatland Restoration (Case Study: Paludiculture of Sago in Pulau Padang Peatland Hydrological Unit, Riau)

The green economy development in forestry and other land use sectors has a close relationship with low carbon land use management. Peatlands are vulnerable ecosystems with a high capacity to store carbon. Drying peatlands will result in their ecosystem degradation through subsidence and decomposition processes, which cause carbon emissions. Local communities must be engaged in selective economic activities to revitalize their livelihoods while also protecting peatlands. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to evaluate and promote sago paludiculture in peatlands as a part of peatland restoration strategies in the Pulau Padang Peatland Hydrologycal Unit. The study was conducted from August to September 2022. Data were collected through inventoried sago cultivation and stakeholder interviews. Sago plants were inventoried to investigate their percentage growth and Business Canvas Model has used to develop a sago business model in the local community level. The results of the study showed that local communities in Mekarsari and Sungai Anak Kamal have utilized traditionally the products of sago. There are two species of sago cultivate in the program of revitalization of livelihood, namely Metroxylon sagu and Metroxylon rumpii with the percentage growth varied 68% and 87,2% respectively. Cultivating sago palm in peatlands has the potential to be economically profitable and could protect peatlands from degradation. To optimize economic benefits, increasing the added value of sago products is required together with implementing a sustainable harvesting system. Briefly, sago paludiculture is relevant to microscale green economic development.