Community-based agriculture strengthens Southeast Asia’s climate response

Climate change is a pressing concern that transcends borders. Its continuing impact underscores the need for enhanced resilience and diversified food sources through the adoption of climate-resilient farming practices, investment in sustainable technologies, and supportive policies.

Singapore which imports over 90% of its food supply is vulnerable to global agricultural disruptions caused by extreme weather conditions, droughts and shifting climate patterns. While the local agricultural sector remains small, initiatives like urban farming and food security strategies aim to mitigate these risks. The city state is actively tackling climate change through the Singapore Green Plan 2030, aiming to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

In Indonesia, agriculture forms the backbone of rural livelihoods. Smallholder farmers face increasing pressure from land degradation and climate variability. They are often supported by alliances and civil society organizations that are working to restore degraded land and are implementing agroecological methods to withstand climate impacts. Their efforts serve as a valuable model for strengthening agricultural resilience across Southeast Asia.

Local partnerships help Mentawai islanders tackle climate change:

One such initiative is a collaboration between Aliansi Kolibri, a coalition committed to combating deforestation and increasing sustainability in Indonesia's agricultural sector and Yayasan Citra Mandiri Mentawai (YCMM), an organization established in 1995, to address the growing challenges of climate change in the Mentawai Island, in the western coast of Sumatran Island. To date, YCMM has helped safeguard approximately 237,701.17 hectares of forest from exploitation.

This collaboration focuses on community-based solutions that empower indigenous and local communities. A key part of their work involves introducing adaptive, environmentally friendly farming techniques such as agroforestry and the cultivation of climate-resilient crops.

One of the key members of the community is Yohanes (44), a farmer from Madobak Village in the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra. On his one-hectare plot, Yohanes cultivates Songer bananas (Musa acuminata × balbisiana), a local variety of banana, along with areca nuts and other crops. During harvest, he can collect up to 10 bunches of bananas, which sell for around US$0.15 per kilogram or are consumed by his family.

As the son of a traditional elder of the Samalelet Tribe, Yohanes sees maintaining economic stability and sustainability in Madobak Village as a top priority. For him, customary forests are not only a source of livelihood but also a cultural heritage that must be protected from outside exploitation. Committed to defending indigenous rights, Yohanes continues to adapt and innovate in the face of environmental challenges.

Committed to defending indigenous rights in Madobak Village, farmer Yohanes continues to adapt and innovate in the face of environmental challenges.

Yohanes is not alone in his efforts. He often encourages fellow residents of Madobak Village to take part in protecting the natural landscape around them. Through the local tradition of goro, Yohanes and his neighbors collectively plant trees to enrich forest biodiversity and organize group harvests. “Goro” is a long-standing tradition in which community members routinely come together for shared activities. Each evening, the tribal leader invites members to sit together and exchange stories, strengthening social bonds. These gatherings also serve as a platform to discuss environmental protection initiatives, such as planning restoration work, selecting seedlings, and setting planting days. For Yohanes, this sense of togetherness fosters solidarity and strengthens the community’s ability to face everyday challenges.

“Through goro, we plant trees together and protect our village ecosystem. This collective spirit gives us strength to face everyday challenges,” Yohanes shared. YCMM believes that the sustainability of forests and the recognition of indigenous rights are key to successful environmental protection. With its achievements and strong commitment, YCMM remains at the forefront of preserving the Mentawai ecosystem and improving the livelihoods of indigenous and local communities.