Pandeglang, Indonesia – The Hanjuang Cooperative has been at the forefront of promoting collective marketing for Apis dorsata forest honey, better known as the giant honey bee, among communities in Pandeglang. This initiative seeks to improve the economic situation of farmers living in and around Ujung Kulon National Park, in Pandeglang Regency.

The collective effort was first pioneered in 2013 and later formalized with the establishment of the Hanjuang Cooperative in 2015. Since then, the cooperative’s forest honey production has steadily grown and reached markets across Indonesia, even attracting private companies such as Oriflame.

In 2016, with support from the Aliansi Petani Indonesia (API), the cooperative was able to acquire dehumidifier technology to meet national SNI standards by reducing honey’s water content. This innovation allowed the cooperative to strengthen its production and ensure better product quality.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, marketing had to shift to digital platforms and social media, enabling the cooperative to continue reaching consumers despite restrictions.

Collaboration has also been key to the cooperative’s growth. With support from API, Hanjuang worked closely with the Ujung Kulon National Park Office to apply sustainable harvesting techniques and improve post-harvest practices. Instead of squeezing honey by hand, honeycombs are now sliced on clean cloths, making the process more hygienic.

Read the full story at the official AFA website. The Asian Farmers’ Association is one of the steering committee members of ComDev Asia.