Peatlands are among the most valuable yet vulnerable ecosystems on our planet. They serve as vast carbon stores, biodiversity hotspots, and crucial hydrological regulators. However, despite their ecological importance, they have often been undervalued in economic decision-making. As a result, peatlands—especially those in the tropics, such as Riau in Sumatra, Indonesia—face relentless pressures from agricultural expansion, land conversion, and unsustainable resource extraction.
The booklet entitled “Unlocking Economic Value of Peatland Ecosystem Services and Implications for Effective Peatland Management in Riau, Sumatra, Indonesia” provides a timely and insightful exploration into the multifaceted benefits of peatland ecosystems and the potential for integrating their value into policy and management frameworks. By bridging ecological science, economics, and governance, this book illuminates the pathways through which peatland conservation can align with economic incentives, ensuring sustainable livelihoods while preserving critical ecosystem functions.
The case from Riau, Sumatra, is particularly compelling, given its vast peatland landscapes that have historically played a vital role in both local economies and global environmental stability. This book carefully illustrates the ways in which ecosystem services—such as food provisioning, carbon sequestration, water regulation, and biodiversity conservation—can be translated into quantifiable economic terms, making a strong case for investment in peatland protection and restoration. It also highlights policy mechanisms, market-based solutions, and community-driven approaches that can support effective peatland governance.
Tag: agricultural extension
An assessment of RWH potential for Zanzibar
This study was requested by HE Amani Adied Karume, President of Zanzibar. The terms of reference were prepared and commissioned by the MDG centre based in Nairobi in collaboration with UNDP Tanzania to explore the prospective of improving water availability and management in Zanzibar through application of rainwater harvesting and management technologies. Zanzibar is comprised of two island; Unguja of 1658 km2 and Pemba of 985 km2. The islands are located 40 kilometres off the mainland Tanzania coast, 5 degrees and 6 degrees south of the Equator. The 1999 census estimated the population of Zanzibar at 916,000. According to the Household Budget Survey report release in September 2006, 49% of the population lives below the basic needs poverty line. The report further found that the incidence of poverty was higher in rural compared to urban areas. Agriculture is the main occupational activity, employing more than a quarter of the total labour force in Zanzibar. In the year 2000, agriculture contributed 36% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and about 90% of the total foreign exchange earnings. However, agriculture is propelled by poor smallholder farmers producing under rain fed conditions using traditional methods. According to Johnson 1994, both islands are fertile due to the rich soils derived from weathering of main sedimentary rock sequence. Zanzibar is also endowed with high mean annual rainfall of up to 1900mm.Water balance studies conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural resources, Environment and Cooperatives (MANREC) and JICA suggest that Zanzibar looses on average 50% of the total rainfall received through runoff via rivers to the sea. Only 24% in Unguja and 7% in Pemba ends up in groundwater. Given that Zanzibar’s main water sources is groundwater, there is great need to introduce rainwater harvesting technologies in order to improve water availability, especially for agriculture which takes up the largest proportion of the island’s water.
The volunteer farmer-trainer extension approach: a user guide
Extension services are delivered in a variety of forms, with the ultimate aim of changing farmers’ attitudes towards applying knowledge and practices that increase productivity and income. However, how farmers gain access to knowledge and information on improved practices along the intended value chain is extremely important. An effective approach encourages farmers to change their attitudes and perceptions, which in turn increases knowledge and promotes uptake of agricultural practices, technologies and other innovations. Application of good agricultural practices and use of technologies in production systems increase productivity and farm income. The mode of dissemination can influence the agricultural knowledge and skills that farmers acquir e. The success of technology dissemination greatly depends on the effectiveness of the mode of delivery used to reach the clients.