Farmers in dryland areas of Indonesia are benefiting from the adoption of conservation agriculture alongside agroforestry.

An article in The Jakarta Globe explains how farmers in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara have been taking part in an experimental conservation agriculture program. The result has been increases in average corn yields by more than double and corn harvests after just 4 months when previously it would take 6 months or more.

East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) comprises around 48,000 square kilometers, of which 1.5 million hectares is considered dry land. “Local farmers believe they can produce only enough corn for family meals and are unable to harvest any more to take to the market,” says the article. Low productivity due to barren land often leaves the community with food shortages, forcing them to depend on government aid.

In 2013, a trial conservation agriculture program began in the region with a 30 hectare demonstration plot. Now, 237 plots stretch across NTB to NTT and involve almost 5,000 farmers. The farmers are adopting the 3 main principles of conservation agriculture: minimal soil disturbance, creating permanent soil cover and rotating crops.

Conservation agriculture helps to retain soil moisture, prevent run-off and therefore reduce erosion. It also contributes to making agricultural systems more resilient to climate change.

In addition to adopting conservation agriculture, thousands of trees have been planted in agroforestry systems, largely through the work of local NGO, Yayasan Mitra Tani Mandiri. This has helped to create a ‘green terrace’ that protects homes and corn plantations from strong winds.

The next step for the program is to spread the knowledge about conservation agriculture to other dryland farmers.

Read the full story: Corn Crop Idea Changes Communities in Eastern Indonesia