What is the case?

In Kulon Progo, the productivity of small organic coconut producers is consistently low. Due to the absence of climate-smart agriculture, poor land management, and worsening extreme weather conditions, subsistence farming and thus poverty are widespread.

Driven by the increasing international demand for alternative natural sweeteners, the company Aliet Green, together with farmers from the Kokap district in Kulon Progo, aims to reverse this trend.

What is the project doing about it?

The goal of the Sugar & Steam project is to improve the income, productivity, and climate resilience of 2,000 farmers by integrating the circular value chain and introducing appropriate on-farm practices and technologies. This takes into account better working conditions and ethical work procedures throughout the value chain. Gender-sensitive planning and mainstreaming is a transversal project priority. Climate-adaptive 'Good Agricultural Practices' will be developed and tested.

Farmers will be trained in resilient farming methods, developed and validated through participatory on-farm research. Additionally, dissemination materials for knowledge and innovation diffusion will be provided.

What will the project yield?

Innovative climate-adaptive on-farm technologies as part of a sustainable and profitable model for farmers. The involved farmers will see a 20% increase in productivity. They adhere to the principles of organic farming, and their value chain is part of the circular economy. They have guaranteed capacity in diversified production systems and secure higher and more stable incomes through transparent and fair contract agreements.

Involved households benefit from improved soil and water management. The district experiences an increase of 2600 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs, and women have more influence on political decision-making. The value chain in the area ensures (a) a safe and climate-resilient supply of raw materials and (b) the necessary structures for pre- and post-harvest processes.

Project details

Applied Research Professor: Eurídice Leyequién Abarca, Management of Forested Landscapes
Project duration: 2019 - 2023
Project partners: Aliet Green BV, Aidenvironment, Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture
Funding: This Sugar & Steam project is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the SDGP Partnership Facility.