Papua Province houses Indonesia’s last major intact forests and the world’s third-largest tropical forest. These forests cover 81% of Papua and are vital for climate change mitigation, but face threats from deforestation, primarily due to selective logging. The traditional economic development approach, focusing on agriculture, has led to conflicts and marginalization of Indigenous Papuans. A leapfrog development approach is needed, emphasizing sustainable practices, recognizing customary land rights, and integrating Papuans into the supply chain. Promoting sustainable cocoa agroforestry in vulnerable lowland areas could drive this transition, supported by partnerships, improved infrastructure, and new business models focusing on equity and inclusivity.

The Project aims to promote sustainable production and protection of cocoa agroforestry as buffer zone in rich forest landscape that will promote better income for the communities. The project will facilitate the productivity improvement and income diversification by developing equity share business model through agricultural services delivery with multi-crop approach. The project will also strengthen the policy framework to protect the buffer zone of the protected forest and high conservation value/high carbon stock (HCV/HCS) area in Jayapura District of Papua.