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Cultivating change and resilience in tropical agroforestry

Harnessing agroforestry for economic and climate resilience in Indonesia and the Philippines
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The good agriculture practices (GAP) training involves participatory and practical hands-on learning approaches. Photo by Syah Ali Achmad / Rainforest Alliance.

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The lush equatorial regions of Indonesia and the Philippines are not just picturesque – they are also crucial battlegrounds for rural farmers in the global fight against climate change and economic instability.

These regions, known for their vibrant ecosystems and agricultural bounty, are pivotal in the global chocolate supply chain. Yet, for local farmers whose livelihoods depend on harvesting these brown gold pods, the challenges posed by climate change and economic instability are becoming increasingly severe.

As vital cacao-producing nations, both countries are at the frontline of pioneering sustainable agroforestry practices that promise more than just agricultural yield: they offer a blueprint for economic resilience and environmental sustainability.

Cacao, once the ‘prima donna’ of crops in the region, has seen its luster dim due to market fluctuations and environmental challenges. However, projects like Sustainable Farming in Tropical Asian Landscapes (SFITAL) aim to revive and transform cacao cultivation. By integrating cacao with other crops like coconut and banana and introducing innovative farming techniques, SFITAL is pioneering a sustainable path that benefits both land and farmers.

SFITAL, an initiative funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and implemented by the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), is working to address the pressing challenges cacao producers face in these equatorial countries.

The project aims to enhance cacao yields and ensure these enhancements are achieved sustainably, balancing economic needs with environmental preservation. At its core, the project seeks to connect smallholder farmers to global markets through environmentally sustainable and economically viable practices.

In Indonesia’s North Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi Province, where cacao was once a leading commodity, the initiative collaborates with local governments, Rainforest Alliance and global giants like MARS Incorporated to develop a cacao roadmap that revitalizes production without compromising the region’s ecological integrity.

A farmer proudly shows off a successful harvest thanks to improved knowledge of cacao farming. Photo by Syah Ali Achmad / Rainforest Alliance

Harnessing local insights for sustainable agroforestry

The project’s success is also built on listening to the farmers it aims to help. This commitment is embodied in the “Farmers’ Chat” or “Cerita Obrolan Petani,” a platform where the farmers’ voices shape the project’s direction. By incorporating their firsthand experiences and insights, SFITAL ensures its interventions are scientifically sound, culturally resonant and practically applicable.

Nestled among Indonesia’s lush landscapes, Arusu Village, home to the Mitracindo farmer group, is where Arwis pioneered a blend of traditional wisdom and innovative agriculture. He integrates coconuts into his cacao farm, shielding the cacao plants from yellowing—a common threat—and increasing biodiversity and stabilizing the soil.

“Coconuts don’t require much maintenance, they can grow, they are resistant and suitable for the soil here. They also protect the cacao after I noticed that cacao plants near coconuts kept their leaves green,” Arwis explains. His observations spurred him to plant coconut trees among his cacao, a practice that has yielded fruitful results. This year, his coconuts have started bearing regularly, supplementing his income significantly. In the recent harvest, he collected up to 100 kg of copra, benefiting from a surge in market prices.His success reflects a broader narrative highlighted during the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on “Results and Design of Agroforestry Cacao Farms.” In this forum, farmers across North Luwu exchange insights and strategies, fostering a collaborative environment.  Together, they explore intercropping strategies that have bolstered their resilience to volatile market trends and environmental pressures.

Farmers attend a capacity-building session on good agriculture practices (GAP) in North Luwu District, South Sulawesi. Photo by Syah Ali Achmad / Rainforest Alliance.

Among the voices at the FGD was Indotang, one of the women farmers who participated in the SFITAL program from Dalle Samaenre Farmers Group, Terpedo Jaya Village, who recently turned to intercropping chili peppers between her cacao plants.

The shift came as cacao yields declined, prompting Mrs Indotang to diversify her farm’s output. “I pick chili peppers and my husband picks cacao while tending the garden. Comparatively, chili peppers yield more than cacao. I can harvest between 15 to 30 kg a month. When the price hovers around IDR 35,000 to IDR 40,000, I can fetch around IDR500,000 per harvest/month,” Indotang shares.

Arwis and Indotang’s experience highlights a critical trend in tropical agriculture: the need for diversification and innovation to sustain not just the crops but also the communities that depend on them.

These stories are fundamental to discussions that reshape traditional farming, ensuring it remains viable and vibrant in the face of modern challenges. Farmers like Arwis and Indotang share their successes and setbacks to help forge a path forward for sustainable agricultural practices in Indonesia.

Farmers attend a capacity-building session on good agriculture practices (GAP) in North Luwu District, South Sulawesi. Photo by Syah Ali Achmad/Rainforest Alliance.

Bridging archipelagos

“If I didn’t practice integrated farming, we wouldn’t be able to survive.” – Maria Teresa L. Guzman, farmer

Similarly, in the Philippines, SFITAL works alongside Kennemer Foods International, a wholesale supplier for MARS, to establish cacao-based agroforestry systems in Mindanao. The goal is to scale up sustainable value chains, and SFITAL’s approach integrates environmental conservation with economic viability. Through these collective efforts, the partners link smallholder producers to global supply chains, ensuring that sustainability benefits reach the most remote corners of these archipelagos.

Maria Teresa L. Guzman, a farmer from Barangay San Isidro Nabunturan, shares a poignant reflection. “If I didn’t practice integrated farming, we wouldn’t be able to survive.”

This sentiment echoes across fields and farms, underpinning the critical role of cacao in the livelihoods of thousands. Maria’s farm, a blend of banana, coconut and over a thousand hills of cacao, stands as a testament to the transformative power of agroforestry. 

Maria’s story isn’t unique. In Davao de Oro, the story of Liberato “Jun” Villahermosa Jr. from Barangay Maco and other smallholder farmers highlights the tangible impacts of these efforts. In recent years, Kuya Jun, who has been farming for decades, found himself grappling with the rising costs of fertilizers and the complexities of pest management.

However, through the initiative, he has shifted towards agroecological practices, such as using organic mulches and diversifying plant species, which have substantially improved the health of his crops and soil. 

Revitalizing cacao through community-driven sustainability

As SFITAL’s work progresses, the landscapes of Indonesia and the Philippines are witnessing a revival of their cacao sectors. 

The transformation in Maria and Jun’s lives is a microcosm of the broader change the project aims to foster across tropical landscapes. By integrating modern agricultural techniques with traditional knowledge, enhancing ecological sustainability and connecting farmers to international markets, the project is changing how cacao is cultivated and ensuring that these communities can thrive against global challenges.

In this era of uncertainty, the farmers of Indonesia and the Philippines are not merely surviving; they are flourishing. Their resilience and the innovative spirit of projects like SFITAL are sowing seeds of hope and sustainability that promise to yield fruit for future generations. The initiative remains responsive and relevant to the communities’ needs thanks to ongoing dialoguegathering feedback directly from the farmers it aims to support. 

Good agriculture practices (GAP) training involves a participatory and practical hands-on learning approach. Photo by Syah Ali Achmad/Rainforest Alliance.

 

 

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