Expected Impacts [ Web View ]
Scientific Impacts
This research will contribute to scientific debates on the following questions:
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How can poor people significantly benefit from high-value forest products?
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What type of organizations, institutional arrangement, business models and financing schemes are likely to enhance the benefits of small-scale producers and under what conditions?
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What are the policy constraints to leveling the playing field for small-scale producers?
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How do small-scale producers get access to market premiums for certification, fair trade and geographic indication?
The collective action activities will be consciously supported by modern technology such as Internet and cellular phone technology which have been shown to help small-scale producers improve their market position.
Sustainability of the project will be ensured as it is expected to enhance local pride in the quality of Jepara furniture, provide additional income to stakeholders, and strengthen the
FRK. The FRK will continue to function after the project is completed. Networking with other similar international initiatives provides advantages to penetrate the international market.
Capacity Impacts
The research will enhance the capacity of partners in Indonesia (FORDA, the Jepara local government, IPB and FRK) in doing value chain analysis based upon action research with a spatial component. Students of Jepara Design College (STTDNU) will also be involved in many surveys during the execution of the project, improving their understanding of the current problem and possible solutions.
Facilitation will increase the capacity of furniture producers, tree growers and key decision-makers and occurs during every step of action research. Specific workshops to influence policy, improve wood efficiency, improve adaptation to market demand, strengthen producer organizations and enhance access to financing mechanisms will be held to improve the capacity of local stakeholders. The project will strengthen the small-scale producer organizations in harmony with FRK, through workshops, facilitation and training. The end result will be better access to market information and improved negotiation skills for small scale producers.
Some specific training on the use of Internet and e-commerce to market furniture will build the capacity of small scale actors. It is expected that internet web marketing will enable SMEs to market directly to domestic and international buyers, and thus achieve higher prices.
The project will build capacity among small-scale producers to improve their access to financing mechanisms from banks and other financial institutions. Networking with governments, NGOs, programmes such as SENADA, IFC PENSA, WWF Nusa-Hijau will be facilitated and enhanced.
Community Impacts
Economic Impacts
The proposed project is expected to have short term (Category I) and long term impact. Here we define the economic impacts as change in employment levels, income to small-scale furniture producers, export value and district economy, as a result of: opening new markets, higher prices captured by small-scale producers, more access to financial assistance and securing wood supplies
Better access to markets and financial assistance will provide additional capital to small-scale producers. With this capital, they will then be able to buy and/or use better wood processing technology which will improve wood use efficiency and thus profits.
Social Impacts
Furniture making has been a tradition in Jepara since the Majapahit Kingdom in the 13th century. Increasing value addition of Jepara furniture and securing the industry will secure Jepara’s future as a centre for furniture making and enhance people’s belief in themselves and their culture. Improvement of the furniture industry will positively impact Jepara’s drive for cultural preservation.
Women’s struggle for livelihoods and gender equity has been inspired in Indonesia by R.A. Kartini, born in Jepara in 1879 – a female national hero and one of the most prominent women to have devoted themselves to promoting gender issues. Women are important throughout the furniture industry here and also have a significant role in household income generation, thus an enhanced furniture industry in Jepara will improve the livelihoods of women and their families, and further Jepara’s identity as a symbol of gender equality.
Exposure and marketing through the Internet will advance the small and medium scale enterprises, at the same time as promoting local cultural values, given that furniture-making as a central component of Jepara culture.
The project will work with a multi-stakeholder forum, involving small, medium and large scale industry actors, and government. It is expected that these activities will improve the cohesiveness of the entire industry.
Environmental Impacts
Improvement in the efficiency of furniture supply chains will substantially benefit the environment, as use of raw material will be optimized and waste will be minimized. Improved efficiency of wood use may help to reduce pressure to prematurely harvest teak and mahogany, which will allow more sustainable production practices. Improvement in trade will have positive impacts on furniture producers and timber suppliers. With the right incentives this should stimulate certified raw material cultivation. Higher intensification of cultivation and expansion of planted forests will benefit the environment (e.g. through climate change mitigation). Furniture products store carbon outside the forest for substantial periods.