Niskala Studio

Tracing the Footsteps of Sustainability in Cocoa Farming

My journey began from Bali, where I boarded a plane bound for Makassar, South Sulawesi. After landing at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, I continued my journey by road for a few hours to Polewali Mandar, a region in West Sulawesi famous for its cocoa plantations. On this trip, I was not only mesmerised by the breathtaking natural beauty, but also curious about the lives of the cocoa farmers there.

Upon arrival in Polewali Mandar, I meet with Rauf from Mitra Agribisnis Mandiri Cooperative. He gives me a detailed overview of the history of cocoa cultivation in Polewali Mandar, which dates back to the early 1980s. It was interesting to learn how cocoa, often grown under coconut trees, has become a significant source of income for local farmers.

I travelled to Tapango Barat to meet with Muhiddin, a member of Harapan Jaya Farmer Group. Muhiddin’s farm is a perfect example of agroforestry in action. He has diversified his one-hectare farm with 700 cocoa trees and various types of fruit trees such as rambutan, durian, and avocado. Despite the recent drought, Muhiddin remains optimistic about the future, thanks to the resilience provided by agroforestry practices. His story of consistent harvests and diversified income is inspiring.

Afterwards I met with Hassani, a dedicated co-operative member and a manager in organic farming and livestock development. Hassani shared his insights on the significant challenges faced by cocoa farmers, including climate change and aging cocoa trees. He emphasised the importance of replanting these trees and introducing agroforestry to improve soil health and diversify income sources for farmers.

Back at the co-operative office, I dig deeper into the co-operative’s impact on the local community. The co-operative’s collaboration with Rikolto Indonesia since 2010 has been instrumental in building farmers’ capacity through funding and networking. This partnership has not only improved the farmers’ farming practices, but also strengthened their ability to address challenges such as soil health and pest management.

I spent time with farmers like Ramli and Parmansyah, who have implemented sustainable farming methods from the co-operative. Ramli, a young farmer from West Tapango, shared how he integrates modern farming techniques learnt from the co-operative with traditional practices passed down by his family. On the other hand, Parmansyah highlighted the co-operative’s efforts in maintaining cocoa quality and engaging with specialised markets in Europe through the fermentation process.

This trip provides an in-depth insight into the challenges and solutions in cocoa farming in Polewali Mandar. Through the agroforestry approach and support from Mitra Agribisnis Mandiri Cooperative and Rikolto Indonesia, farmers here have new hope for sustainable agriculture and increased income.

I was impressed by the passion and dedication of farmers who continue to innovate to overcome challenges and improve their quality of life. This trip is proof that with the right co-operation and education, the future of cocoa farming in Polewali Mandar is bright.

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