Landscape stories: A Village Facilitator Nurturing Hope in Sungai Linau

In the quiet village of Bandar Jaya, nestled within the flood-prone Giam Siak Kecil watershed, lives a man with a vision. His name is Mafrur (right in photo), a son of the soil, born and raised in Bandar Jaya, and today, one of the most driven village facilitators in the Sungai Linau Landscape Programme.

“I want my village to grow beyond palm oil,” he shares in his local language of Javanese as he is one of the many villagers whose livelihood is heavily dependent on oil palm.

For Mafrur, development isn't just about economic gain—it’s about resilience, dignity, and protecting the landscape that nurtures his people. In a region where oil palm dominates both land and livelihoods, he advocates for alternative income sources that preserve the environment and offer stability in the face of ecological uncertainty.

Supported by a collaborative initiative funded by IFF, Lactalis, Nestlé, PepsiCo, and APP, the Sungai Linau Programme aims to empower communities to adopt sustainable practices while improving their livelihoods. Mafrur stands at the heart of this mission, embodying what it means to be a local leader committed to long-term change.

 This vision is especially urgent in Bandar Jaya, where peatlands make up much of the terrain. As part of the Giam Siak Kecil landscape, the village faces the dual threats of seasonal flooding and ecosystem degradation. Moreover, a badly managed peatland can result in peatland fires and flooding, thus impacting crop production of palm oil.

Mafrur knows that without proper peatland management, his community’s future hangs in the balance.

Through patience, dialogue, and collaboration, he works with farmers and local stakeholders to promote responsible land use, share knowledge about sustainable practices, and co-develop plans for diversified livelihoods—from fish farming to eco-friendly small enterprises. His journey is not without challenges, but his commitment runs deep.

To date, Mafrur’s engagement and lobbying among the local stakeholders helped him to introduce a series of efforts such as alternative livelihoods via agroforestry, nursery house, and building a compost house.

These efforts are only just the beginning for Mafrur as he foresees further expansion of his cause.

“As a village facilitator, I have realised that we can achieve more by having the buy-in from the public, private and local communities. I am doing this to ensure the sustainable livelihoods for my community and for our children to have a brighter future,” he adds.

The Sungai Linau Landscape Programme (SLP) is a collaboration between the public and private sector in Riau, Indonesia, coordinated by Proforest. The programme aims to support community-based land use development and strengthen village members’ livelihoods, while protecting HCV (high conservation value) and HCS (high carbon stock) forest and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through forest and peat protection.