In Pangandaran, West Java, Indonesia, the land has always been a source of life. For generations, farmers have sown not just crops, but also hope for stability, for dignity, and for their families’ future. But in recent years, that hope has been shaken.
The climate has become unpredictable. Rains linger longer than expected, flooding fields for days. At other times, drought stretches on without relief. For farmers, the planting season is no longer something they can rely on; it’s a gamble. And with each failed harvest, incomes steadily decline.
For farmers like Daslam, the uncertainty was overwhelming. With crops failing due to pests like snails and erratic weather, he found himself relying on odd jobs just to get by. Similarly, Darsini faced repeated losses as floods turned her farmland saline, making it nearly impossible to grow rice. In some seasons, floodwaters rose as high as waist level, wiping out entire harvests.
Amid these challenges, a new opportunity began to emerge.
Through the support of the Koperasi Produsen JAMTANI Pangandaran (KPJ Pangandaran), farmers in the region were introduced to duck farming, an alternative livelihood that could thrive despite changing environmental conditions. What was once seen as a problem, an abundance of snails damaging crops, became part of the solution. Snails were repurposed as a low-cost, locally available feed for ducks.
Daslam decided to try. He started small, with just 15 ducks. Each morning, they produced around 10 eggs—modest, but enough to generate some income. Over time, he expanded his flock. Today, he cares for 100 ducks, producing 70 to 80 eggs daily. With this steady output, he now enjoys a more reliable source of income—and peace of mind.
What’s more, duck farming fits seamlessly into his daily life. Feeding even 100 ducks takes no more than 15 minutes, leaving him time to pursue other activities. During the rainy season, he returns to using snails as feed, significantly reducing costs. In the dry season, when snails are scarce, he adapts by using alternative feed. Innovations like “snail banks”—where snails are collected and stored during the rainy season—help secure feed supply year-round.
To ensure sustainability, the cooperative introduced a simple but effective system: farmers save a small amount daily to eventually replace ducks once they stop laying eggs. Some also contribute voluntarily to expand their flocks over time.
But the impact doesn’t stop at egg production. Through the cooperative, eggs are collected weekly, carefully sorted by size, cleaned, and processed into salted eggs—a popular and higher-value product. Women in the community play a central role in this stage, leading the salting process and adding value to the product. This not only increases household income but also creates new opportunities for women’s participation in the local economy.
The results have been transformative. Farmers who once struggled with unstable incomes now have a steady and reliable livelihood. What began as a response to a crisis has evolved into a resilient, community-driven enterprise.
In 2024, the Koperasi Produsen Jamtani Pangandaran (KPJ Pangandaran) received USD 18,750 in support from APFP-FO4A to further strengthen its salted egg production, an investment that is helping scale this success and reach more farmers.
The Asia-Pacific Farmers’ Program (APFP) – Farmers’ Organizations for Asia (FO4A) is implemented by the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and La Via Campesina (LVC), with funding from the European Union (EU) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The program aims to strengthen the capacities of farmers’ organizations to provide economic services, advocate for enabling policies, and promote sustainable livelihoods for small-scale family farmers across Asia.
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