I know it returned not long ago but at its current state the forum is currently not very active (certainly not as it used to be).
I propose that staff advertise this forum more in game to increase user count. This could be done with simple daily announcements or a limited time NPC in start that brings up the forums and perhaps gives them some kind of small reward for signing up.
I also recommend that the fact that you get an EC after your first post in the Hello section isn't made known as too many are doing this for a quick EC.
Of course over exposure can have cons especially with a player base of such young age however I do believe that more traffic for the site is overall a good thing due to the flow of ideas being increased as well as new ideas being introduced.