Poverty reduction strategy in the conservation region: Learning from Lebong Regency, Bengkulu Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Regional development in the Lebong Regency faced limited land constraints because 61.8% of the area was designated for forest land use. Using secondary data analysis, this study aimed to describe the poverty profile and identify poverty reduction programs in the Lebong conservation region. This study found that the poverty rate in Lebong was still much lower than that in Bengkulu Province, but still higher than the national poverty rate. People in poverty were generally poorly educated and worked as owners and sharecroppers/farm laborers in the agricultural sector. They had a higher share of food consumption and weak access to adequate water and latrines. Most of them have not been covered by social protection programmes. Poverty reduction programs have been directed at tackling multidimensional poverty, starting from aspects of consumption poverty and other dimensions, such as health, education, and access to basic infrastructure. Poverty reduction focuses on improving quality and competitive human resources, strengthening infrastructure to support economic development and basic services, transforming governance, and accelerating poverty alleviation. This study recommends that poverty reduction programs be conducted in a coordinated manner in an integrated action plan under the Regional Poverty Reduction Coordination Team. This study also supports social forestry schemes for villages around protected forest areas to improve productive land access.