In the food sovereignty area of SPI (Serikat Petani Indonesia) Indramayu, in Indramayu, West Java, Indonesia, farmers are working together to build a more resilient and sustainable future through agroecological rice production.
For the Indramayu Indonesian Peasant Cooperative (KPI/SPI Indramayu), the journey has not been easy. Climate change has become one of the most pressing challenges. Unpredictable weather patterns affect production, especially in rain-fed areas where water supply depends heavily on rainfall. At the same time, producing high-quality agroecological rice is only part of the struggle—bringing it to market is another.
“Our biggest challenge is not only production, but also how to position agroecological products in the market. These are healthy, sustainably grown products, but we need strong collective efforts to ensure they can compete and be recognized,” explains Try Utomo Rubiyanto, coordinator of the Indonesian Peasant Union in Indramayu and chairman of the Indonesian Peasant Cooperative in the region.
For farmers like Absori, the cooperative has been transformative. Before joining, selling rice after harvest was difficult, often leaving farmers at the mercy of middlemen who offered very low prices.
“Now, the cooperative helps absorb our harvest at a fair price,” Absori shares. “I cultivate about two hectares. We still face challenges—water, capital, fertilizers—but at least marketing is no longer one of them.”
Farming in Indramayu is shaped by the rhythms of nature. During the first planting season, farmers grow rice. In the second season, they diversify with crops such as watermelon, eggplant, and fruits like oranges and mangoes. This diversification helps them adapt to climate variability while securing additional sources of income.
Women are also playing an increasingly vital role in this transformation. Kartini, a 63-year-old farmer and member of SPI, has seen significant changes in her farming practices and community.
“Before, my land was not very productive,” she recalls. “Now, we use organic inputs like cow manure to improve soil fertility. The soil has become healthier, and the harvest is better.”
Through agroecology field schools, farmers are learning not only ecological farming techniques but also financial management and cooperative governance. These skills are strengthening both their farms and their organization.
Importantly, women now play a central role in decision-making within the cooperative. From production planning to financial management, they participate equally alongside men. Their involvement ensures that family needs and long-term sustainability are carefully considered in every decision.
These efforts have been further strengthened through support from the APFP-FO4A program. In 2024, the cooperative received USD 18,750 in funding to support its agroecological rice production—helping improve production systems, strengthen cooperative management, and expand market access.
Together, these efforts are part of a broader vision led by the SPI: to achieve food sovereignty and improve farmers’ welfare through agrarian reform, agroecology, and strong cooperative institutions.
SPI is also building alternative, people-centered markets. By partnering with urban networks such as the Urban Poor Consortium in Jakarta, they are creating a solidarity economy that connects rural producers directly with urban consumers.
With support from the APFP-FO4A platform, the Indramayu Indonesian Peasant Cooperative continues to strengthen its production, expand its market reach, and increase the value of its products.
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