By: Masayu Yulien Vinanda
Pekanbaru (14/06)-Sialang Tree Honey, as one of the major income resources for the people living around the Tesso Nilo forest beside rubber sap has been exported to international market. This year, on the beginning of June, TLH Product Industries, a manufacturer of quality food supplement of bee-based product in Malaysia purchased one ton of organic honey. The Tesso Nilo honey was produced from three villages, Lubuk Kembang Bunga, Air Hitam, and Gunung Sahilan.
Through Tesso Nilo honey website developed by WWF and Tesso Nilo Honey Farmers Association (APMTN), TLH Product Industries expressed their interest to order the organic honey. Furthermore, samples of honey were sent to them for laboratory testing.

“After they tested the honey, they found that the honey met their international standards. Then, they decided to visit Tesso Nilo to witness the process of honey harvesting and extraction. They took other samples to be tested and compared them with the previously sent honey. The result showed the same quality. Then, they ordered one ton of honey,” said Community Engagement Module Leader for WWF-Indonesia Riau Program Adi Purwoko.

TLH Product Industries got their order by sending their representatives to Tesso Nilo, witnessing the process of honey harvesting, extraction, and packaging.
The hygiene of Tesso Nilo honey processing is one of the highest standards throughout the whole process. Since 2004, WWF-Indonesia Riau Program has assisted the groups of forest honey farmers by giving training to develop the honey production under the Internal Control System (ICS) program. Through ICS management, group of Sialang Honey Farmers guarantee that the Tesso Nilo Honey is superior quality, pure, and natural honey.

There is a big opportunity that the company will extend its partnership since they have sent a draft of MoU establishing partnership between TLH, WWF, and Tesso Nilo Honey Farmers Association (APMTN).

“We expect that it will be an important step toward bright future for Tesso Nilo honey. WWF and the Association have been working together to develop local and national market as well as international market to absorb honey produced in Tesso Nilo. As a result, the farmers will get huge benefit. The Association is able to buy the honey for 33 thousand rupiahs per kilogram. It’s much higher than the local price, which is range from 15-20 thousands. Yesterday, TLH Product Industries bought the honey for 37 thousands per kilogram. Market issue has become our big challenge. So I hope WWF can collaborate with the association to seek more market opportunities that can absorb Tesso Nilo honey with fair price,” Adi said.