CIFOR and partner institutions such as Indonesian Ministry of Forestry and Environment’s Research and Development Agency (FORDA), Indonesia’s Mulawarman University, Sriwijaya University and University of Muhammadiyah Palangka Raya have been looking at a wide range of policy relevant issues associated with bioenergy, especially social, economic and environmental aspects – including how bioenergy can be integrated as a part of landscape restoration goals. The project identifying species that can be planted along with food crops such as pineapple, dragon fruit, and other staple foods. Since some biomass-producing species can take years to mature, finding species that can grow along with food crops could provide farmers with year-round income. The intercropping species could produce additional income as well as provide food while the bioenergy crops are being established, or between harvests of biomass crops. Scientists are also investigating ways to create value chains that link farmers with the biofuel market. Early findings have identified some bioenergy species as potential candidates for this approach. Callophylum inophyllum know as ‘nyamplung’ or ‘tamanu’ tree was successful in different types of soil including peatlands and mineral soils, and did well in both dry and flooded conditions.
