Based on research by Warren et al. (2017), peatlands in Indonesia are estimated to store carbon reserves up to 57 gigatons. However, peatland utilization does not adhere to the principles of sustainable peat utilization, often resulting in fires. Land clearing activities and changes in land use to residential or industrial areas are among the causes of fires in peatlands.

The largest peatland fires occurred in Indonesia in 2015, prompting the swift establishment of the Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG), now transformed into the Peatland and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) following Presidential Regulation No. 120 of 2020. The BRGM's task is to facilitate the restoration of peatlands covering 1.2 million ha in seven priority provinces, accelerate mangrove rehabilitation on 600,000 ha in nine priority provinces and enhance community welfare. Central Kalimantan is one of the BRGM's working areas among the seven priority provinces for peatland restoration.

The 2016-2020 peatland restoration was carried out through an adaptive approach, both quick response and comprehensive systematic methods. The quick response aimed to address short-term land and forest fire issues, particularly in reducing the number of hotspots. The comprehensive systematic approach involved holistic, integrated and long-term peatland restoration in collaboration with various stakeholders.

The BRGM employs a 3R strategy: Rewetting or peatland rehydration, Revegetation or reforestation and Revitalization of community livelihoods. Last year, in Central Kalimantan, 36,392.15 ha of peatland were restored, including the construction of 41 canal blocking units, reforestation covering 80 ha and 33 economic revitalization packages.

Jany Tri Raharjo, head of the Peatland Restoration Working Group for Kalimantan and Papua, stated, "In implementing peatland restoration, the BRGM collaborates with various stakeholders. A few months ago, in Central Kalimantan, the BRGM, together with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), conducted weather modification technology as a step in preventing forest and land fires in fire-prone areas. We also involve ground-level communities in routine peatland wetting operations, rapid peatland fire extinguishing operations and infrastructure maintenance such as bore wells and canal blocks."

In 2015, there were land and forest fires covering an area of 526 ha, and by 2019, no land and forest fires occurred in Hanaut village. The key to successful peatland restoration is environmentally friendly based community welfare environmental recovery. The BRGM provides business assistance to peatland communities to improve their economy. The Seroja Women Farmer Group (KWT) in Hanaut village, Pulau Hanaut subdistrict, Kotawaringin Timur regency, is one community group that has received assistance since 2022. This group engages in coffee production as its flagship product. Besides revitalizing community livelihoods, there are 20 bore wells built in Hanaut village in 2019.

The group received assistance in the form of providing equipment and capital for coffee production. Eka Febriyanti, chairwoman of KWT Seroja, said, "We used to only work as housewives. We were trained by the BRGM on how to increase our coffee production with environmentally friendly land clearing and business assistance." After receiving business guidance, the group's coffee production has significantly increased, extending beyond the local community. Currently, their coffee products can be accessed through an online marketplace with the store name @kopi.hanaut on Instagram, and orders are often made through WhatsApp. With the business mentoring program managed by the BRGM, product marketing opportunities have broadened. "Alhamdulillah [praise God], now our products can be accessed by consumers outside the region. The BRGM's business mentoring program opens up new opportunities for us to expand our product reach," said Eka.

KWT Seroja plans to continue expanding its product reach while playing a crucial role in supporting groups like the Hanaut Women Farmer Group. Through this business mentoring program, there is a positive impact on the community by creating job opportunities and raising awareness of the importance of preserving peatlands. "They are not only running a successful coffee business but also making a real contribution to creating a positive impact on the surrounding community," said Dewi, a resident of Hanaut village.

Through the active role of the Seroja Women Farmer Group in expanding product reach and supporting similar groups, the group is an inspirational example in environmentally friendly peat management and sustainable economic development.

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