More concerning problems become apparent as the team walks through the fields that are outside their project areas. Not only are the coffee plants we see unproductive, with a few berries on the branches, but the bushes are being scorched by the tropical sun. The farmers have removed most of the shade trees with the unfounded belief that this would boost production. They have also removed any ground cover, thinking that any other plants would compete with the coffee. Now the soil is being sterilized by the sunlight and when it rains, the last fertile soils wash down into the rivers. After the rains, the rivers turn a deep red-brown, taking away the precious nutrients down to the sea. As the team reaches the top of the hill and looks around, the scale of the problem in this area becomes all the concerning. As far as the eyes can see, the fields are in the same worrisome state. This area is slowly but surely turning into degraded unfertile lands.

Sustainable coffee projects support smallholders in Indonesia

A few years ago, the area covered by the J.M Smucker and International Coffee Partners (ICP) funded project faced a similar threat. With little knowledge of Good Agricultural Practices, farmers were in the same downward spiral towards loosing their prime source of income: their productive lands. With a strong focus on stopping degradation and increasing productivity HRNS immediately started with introducing the basics of sustainable farming practices. To increase productivity, better coffee husbandry techniques were introduced: proper pruning, rejuvenation of older bushes, removing of old and diseased growth were some of the first steps that farmers learned. This was quickly followed by the introduction of shade trees and ground cover. Fast growing banana trees and nitrogen fixing Gliracidia trees were introduced. These now provide the shade and also food for the farmers and nutrients to the soils.  Farmers were also encouraged to dig water infiltration pits next to their coffee bushes and fill these with organic mulch. This helped increase water infiltration and retention, while at the same time helping to improve soil health. In the following years, with productivity of coffee slowly increasing, other crops were introduced that complemented the coffee production. Black pepper, avocado, Japanese papaya, ginger and vanilla have started to grow in many project farms and are not only increasing the biodiversity of the coffee farms but are also providing a well needed alternative income to farmers.

The family of Pak Jaswadi from Sumber Jay village, are one of the exemplary farming families who show what differences these Good Agricultural Practices can bring. Five years ago, Pak Jaswadi received his first training from HRNS Field Officers. A year later he invested his time in a piece of unproductive coffee land. Following the guidance he received, the two-acre plot has made an incredible turn around. The coffee bushes are full of cherries, the avocado trees are tall and robust and in between are rows of pepper plants: full and healthy. Under the trees the soil is covered with growth and the earth feels soft and smells as good soil should.  Neighboring farmers are welcome to visit and Pak Jaswadi proudly states how he now encourages others to follow his example.  Even his son, who was once determined to leave to the city, now sees a future in farming.