Ecosystem Impact is developing a community plantation program, in which underutilized locally owned land in Simeulue communities would be refurbished, planted, and maintained by EI. In exchange for the use of the land, EI receives half of a crop yield, and buys the landowner’s half at the market rate, less 50% of EI’s cost in harvesting and processing the crop. This community plantation model stimulates economic growth by increasing income for landowners and creating local jobs. Furthermore, the model protects the development of forested land by better using the existing developed land.
