We partner with governments, businesses, civil society groups and others to change the way the world produces and uses food and energy and designs its cities. Our 100+ projects span from advising mayors on how to reduce traffic fatalities to working with restaurant chains to cut food waste to powering rural healthcare facilities with clean energy. We mobilize global and regional initiatives that spur international climate action, advance sustainable ocean management, halt tropical deforestation, restore degraded landscapes and more.

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TOPIC

We know from history that agriculture brought the dawn of human civilization. It produces food, fiber, and other goods consumed by the world population. Unfortunately, some practices hurt the ecosystem with excessive use of fertilizer and uncontrollable water use. To address this issue, scientists and practitioners strive to optimize the practice of sustainable agriculture which balanced environmental, social, and economical aspects.

From Hormuz to Home Gardens: What Women Farmers Teach Us About Food System Resilience

Ramadan is one moment that is deeply anticipated by Muslim communities around the world, including in Indonesia. During this month, food becomes more than a daily necessity. It reflects culture, togetherness, and living traditions that connect communities across generations.As the sun sets, iftar tables across the archipelago tell different stories. In one region, families gather around bowls of kolak; in another, papeda or boiled sweet potatoes are served. Traditional market snacks, seasonal fruits, and local dishes that appear only at certain times of the year fill homes and streets alike. Without us always realizing it, these meals reveal an important truth: food diversity is neither distant nor difficult to achieve. It already lives within Indonesian society, shaped by diverse cultures, landscapes, and local wisdom across regions.Yet behind this abundance lies a question that often goes unnoticed: how resilient is the food system that sustains Indonesia&#039;s everyday meals?This question may feel far removed from the warmth of a full iftar table. But for many communities across Indonesia, it is a matter of long-term food security.A <a href="https://be.tayjuhanafoundation.org/storage/702/01KJC53TZ43TYAQH2K48RAEX6D.pdf">2020 TJF Brief</a> highlighted one stark example. In 2018, Asmat Regency experienced a hunger crisis that led to severe malnutrition and claimed 71 lives. The crisis was closely linked to heavy dependence on a single staple commodity, rice, without alternative carbohydrate sources as a buffer. Although Asmat is not a rice-producing region, reliance on rice had gradually displaced traditional food systems based on sago and tubers. When rice supplies declined and distribution chains faltered, the region faced acute food vulnerability.Asmat is not an isolated case. Many regions in Indonesia depend heavily on long and fragile food distribution chains, particularly areas that do not produce their own staple foods and rely primarily on a single commodity such as rice.This situation is rooted in historical policy choices. During the New Order era in the 1970s, national food self-sufficiency efforts focused heavily on rice production. Large-scale development of rice-growing centers across the country shaped public perception and firmly positioned rice as Indonesia&#039;s primary staple. Consumption patterns shifted accordingly. By 2010, rice dominance had strengthened while many local food sources became increasingly marginalized. Although food diversification initiatives were introduced, including Presidential Instruction No. 20 of 1979, their implementation struggled to balance the much stronger policy emphasis on rice self-sufficiency.<h2>Strengthening Food Security Through Diversification</h2>Recent crises have demonstrated that food security is not defined solely by high production levels. It also depends on the diversity of food sources and the accessibility of food at the local level. Food diversification that prioritizes local production therefore becomes a key strategy for strengthening national food resilience. By reducing dependence on a single commodity, diversification helps lower vulnerability to supply disruptions and external shocks.The <a href="https://be.tayjuhanafoundation.org/storage/702/01KJC53TZ43TYAQH2K48RAEX6D.pdf">2020 TJF Brief</a> identifies two complementary approaches: horizontal and vertical diversification. Horizontal diversification expands the variety of staple crops, for example by increasing the production of cassava and sweet potatoes alongside rice. Vertical diversification focuses on how commodities are processed and utilized. Tubers, for instance, can be developed into chips, flour, or other food products rather than sold solely as raw harvests. Beyond enriching dietary diversity, vertical diversification also creates opportunities for added economic value for farmers and local communities.<h2>How ready is Indonesia to advance these approaches?</h2>Indonesia already holds strong potential. The country has significant opportunities to develop sago, sorghum, cassava, and sweet potatoes as viable alternatives to rice-based carbohydrates. Indonesia is home to approximately 83 percent of the world&#039;s sago forests. At the same time, many suboptimal lands are already being cultivated by local communities as alternative food sources, although these initiatives often lack sufficient policy support.Positive signals are also emerging from society itself. Nationally, demand for fish, meat, fruits, and vegetables continues to increase each year, indicating growing openness toward more diverse and nutritious diets. In Papua, communities are returning to sago consumption, while in East Nusa Tenggara, sorghum is gradually reappearing on dining tables. Local food traditions that were once marginalized are slowly reclaiming their place. What is needed now is systematic government support through policies that recognize and value the diversity of local food systems across regions.Table 1. Opportunities for Alternative Staple Foods to Replace Rice and Wheat<img src="https://be.tayjuhanafoundation.org/storage/images/19aa88bf-df88-4e9e-9ef5-ef5e5db6c54f.png" alt="Table of alternative staple food opportunities">Source: Adapted from Ministry of Agriculture data (2018)Food diversity has long been part of Indonesian society. The challenge today is not to create it from scratch, but to protect and strengthen what already exists. This requires policies that support local food production, improve equitable access, and recognize that true food resilience cannot depend on a single commodity. Each Ramadan reminds us that diversity is a source of strength. It is time for Indonesia&#039;s food system to reflect that same principle.Tay Juhana Foundation remains committed to supporting the sustainable development of suboptimal lands into productive landscapes as part of broader efforts to strengthen Indonesia&#039;s food resilience. Learn more about our programs and research through our <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tayjuhanafoundation/?hl=en">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://id.linkedin.com/company/tayjuhanafoundation">LinkedIn</a> platforms.

Diversity at the Iftar Table: Why Indonesia’s Food Resilience Is Not Just About Rice

<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">In the Indragiri Hilir Regency, often referred to as Inhil, farming has long been more than a livelihood. It is a way of life. For generations, communities here have relied on agriculture, even though nearly 90 percent of the land is peat, an ecosystem widely known for being challenging to cultivate. Peat soil is formed from layers of ancient plant material that have accumulated over thousands of years in waterlogged areas and have not fully decomposed. This makes peat soils consistently moist and generally less fertile for conventional farming. Yet rather than turning away from these conditions, communities in Inhil have continued to adapt, learning how to live and farm in close relationship with peat landscapes.<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Cultivating peat requires more careful and intensive management than most other soil types. One key aspect is regulating the water level so the soil is not overly saturated. In practice, however, the most common approach has been to drain peatlands completely to make them cultivable. This method can significantly increase the risk of fires and trigger the release of large amounts of stored carbon, posing environmental consequences, especially in the context of today’s climate crisis.<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">This brings us to a crucial question: how can communities in Inhil sustain their livelihoods while also safeguarding the ecosystems that support them?<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Local agricultural activity and peatland conservation are not mutually exclusive. When approached responsibly, they can move forward together. <a href="https://be.tayjuhanafoundation.org/storage/691/01KHJAAQV7DM7YV27S7TGGN2M2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Research</a> conducted by Tay Juhana Foundation, or TJF, highlights two key considerations.<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">First, peat characteristics matter. Peatlands with a depth of less than three meters tend to present lower environmental risks for cultivation. The composition of the peat is also important. Areas where the peat has partially to fully decomposed and sits atop a clay layer are generally more suitable for farming. While deeper peat can sometimes be cultivated under specific conditions, these areas carry higher ecological risks and are better prioritized for conservation.<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Second, water management is essential. Peat behaves much like a giant sponge. It absorbs and retains water easily, remaining wet for long periods, but can also dry out quickly in the absence of rainfall. For farming purposes, peat needs to be slightly drier, but not completely drained. Total drainage not only stresses crops by reducing available moisture, it also increases environmental vulnerability. The more sustainable approach is careful water regulation, ensuring the soil is neither too wet nor too dry.<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">In Pulau Burung, this principle has been put into practice through a canal network known as <a href="https://be.tayjuhanafoundation.org/storage/451/alleviating-peatland-fire-risk-using-water-management-trinity-and-community-involvement.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Water Management Trinity (WMT)</a>. Here, canals are not designed to drain the land entirely, but to regulate groundwater levels through a system of water gates. Water can be stored during dry seasons and safely released to rivers or the sea during periods of heavy rain. <a href="https://be.tayjuhanafoundation.org/storage/691/01KHJAAQV7DM7YV27S7TGGN2M2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TJF&#039;s research</a> indicates that peat subsidence in plantation areas under this system can be minimized to below two centimeters per year. By comparison, peat subsidence in other common agricultural areas typically ranges between 2.4 to 7.4 centimeters per year.<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">In addition, and contrary to common assumptions, certain food crops have been introduced in some areas as part of efforts to rehabilitate degraded peatlands. <a href="https://be.tayjuhanafoundation.org/storage/691/01KHJAAQV7DM7YV27S7TGGN2M2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TJF&#039;s findings</a> show that rice is among the initial alternatives. This approach has also been implemented by Badan Restorasi Gambut dan Mangrove, or BRGM, in Papua, where peat restoration initiatives include planting rice and sago as part of ecosystem recovery efforts.<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">By aligning farming practices more closely with ecological conditions, peat-based agricultural livelihoods can continue in a way that strengthens both community resilience and local food security. Importantly, these efforts are not driven by outside intervention alone, but also by farmers in Indragiri Hilir who are actively adapting, blending local wisdom with evolving environmental realities.<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Keep up with TJF&#039;s latest insights on sustainable peatland agriculture, particularly in Indragiri Hilir, on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tayjuhanafoundation/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://id.linkedin.com/company/tayjuhanafoundation" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn</a>.

Farming with Peatlands: Reflection from Indragiri Hilir

<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Flashing back to October 2025, Tay Juhana Foundation (TJF) marked World Food Day by organizing a youth essay competition that centered on farmer regeneration and the future of food in Indonesia. Carried under the global theme <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,”<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;"> the competition opened a space for young people to engage with the realities shaping our food system and pour their ideas and reflections.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Through a careful curation process, carried out in collaboration with a practitioner from Koalisi Rakyat untuk Kedaulatan Pangan (KRKP), Wahyu Ridwan Nanta, and a lecturer from Institut Teknologi Sumatra (ITERA), Dr. Elsa Windiastuti, S.TP., <a href="http://M.Si">M.Si</a>., TJF selected eight essays that stood out for their relevance, depth, and clarity of perspective. These essays are brought together in this book as a collective reflection of how young Indonesians are thinking about farmer regeneration, food resilience, and the shared responsibility of sustaining our food future. Beyond bringing these essays together, this book is launched as an effort to raise awareness among young people about sustainable agriculture and food security, issues that remain closely tied to the long-term challenge of farmer regeneration in Indonesia.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">The essay book features a lead piece by Ni Luh Gede Gauri Vimala Kaushtubhasai, followed by writings from Cindy Purnama Fitri, Rafania Naura Nasywa, Feri Dwi Putra Suhartono, SP., Refandhy Tri Wijaksono, Calvin Triyoga Nugraha, Sekar Larasati, and finally Alivia Saraswati Kadzan.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Read the full book <a style="text-decoration:none;" href="https://be.tayjuhanafoundation.org/storage/680/01KFM95YJ0VTP0Q4F022RNV170.pdf"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">here</a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;"> to dive deeper into the fresh ideas and reflections. For more chances to take part in ongoing conversations and initiatives around Indonesia’s food future, follow us on <a style="text-decoration:none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/tayjuhanafoundation"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Instagram</a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;"> and <a style="text-decoration:none;" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/tayjuhanafoundation"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">LinkedIn</a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">.

Opening Space for Youth Voices on Farmer Regeneration and Food Futures

The Degradation of Parit in Indragiri Hilir Today

Parit: Waterways that Shape Life in Indragiri Hilir

<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Indonesia’s vast tropical peatlands are more than just carbon stores—they are home to resilient communities whose lives depend on the land. Spanning 13.43 million hectares, with more than half of it in Sumatra, these tropical peatlands play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance while supporting livelihoods that have lived through generations. Among others, Riau Province stands out for its extensive peatland and plantation landscapes. Here, coconut ranks as the second most important commodity after palm oil, contributing around 11% of Indonesia’s national production.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">In the Regency of Indragiri Hilir (Inhil), coconut cultivation has long been part of local tradition. The cultivation system is predominantly managed by smallholder farmers using traditional, locally adapted practices passed down through generations. Unlike large industrial estates, smallholder plantations usually run on a modest scale—relying on manual labor, traditional methods, and natural soil conditions, with little use of chemical inputs, and limited access to bigger markets. Yet, within these humble systems, the wellbeing of nature and community livelihoods can continue to move hand in hand. The coconut trees that have long lined its peatlands are not just sources of income, but also a part of a living system where soil, water, and community are deeply connected with each other through close interactions. <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Seeing the Bigger Picture through a Socio-Ecological Lens<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">With that in mind, we use the socio-ecological system (SES) perspective to help us look at <a style="text-decoration:none;" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10668-025-06756-6?utm_source=rct_congratemailt&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=oa_20250913&amp;utm_content=10.1007%2Fs10668-025-06756-6"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Inhil&#039;s coconut supply chain dynamics.</a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;"> Through this perspective, <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">human and non-human components<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;"> within the system (i.e. farmers, soil, water, and crops) <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">are seen as interconnected<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">, not separated and independent from each other. Every activity done on the ground is part of the ecosystem—where a change in one aspect can affect the behaviour of another and vice versa, creating a feedback loop. In terms of <a style="text-decoration:none;" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0951832013002147?via%3Dihub"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">resilience</a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">, this perspective helps us understand what keeps a community strong—how people and nature support each other to recover or avoid disruptions.<img src="https://be.tayjuhanafoundation.org/storage/images/05d620ab-99ec-4329-88af-9702f370c7f4.jpg" width="4032" height="3024"> <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">How Coconut Farmers Build Resilience in Inhil’s Peatlands<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Through our fieldwork in Inhil, we observed how the coconut farming community demonstrates this deep connection in everyday life. One of the phenomena that we explored <a style="text-decoration:none;" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10668-025-06756-6?utm_source=rct_congratemailt&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=oa_20250913&amp;utm_content=10.1007%2Fs10668-025-06756-6"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">in our research</a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;"> is how the coconut farmers have long explored ways to establish a more resilient livelihood despite the natural dynamics of coconut plantations as well as peatlands’ vulnerable nature. To build economic resilience, they find their way to diversify their income through rotating between roles and planting diverse crops besides coconut.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">One of the most common ways farmers strengthen their income is by <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">diversifying their work roles<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">. With coconut harvest periods spanning within every couple of months, coconut farming creates space for farmers to take on other work. Many farmers work as laborers on one another’s farm, usually by friends and neighbors. This way, farmers are able to have multiple income sources as they assume dual roles as both landowners and laborers. However, interestingly in some cases, laboring on others’ farms is not always paid in cash—as most modern views on livelihood would expect—but following a rotation agreement as a communal activity which signifies strong kinship within the community.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Another choice of practice is <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">intercropping<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">, or cultivating other crops alongside coconuts. Farmers plant betel nuts, bananas, potatoes, pineapples, and other varieties for household consumption and small-scale sale. These crops not only improve local food security but also serve as additional income sources, helping families remain steady when external factors—like weather or market fluctuations—affect coconut yields.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Together, these approaches form a picture of community-driven resilience, where traditional practices, cooperation, and local knowledge sustain both livelihoods and the land itself.<img src="https://be.tayjuhanafoundation.org/storage/images/93b23fc2-9428-4584-9c3b-accbde9dac40.jpg" width="4240" height="2400"> <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Continuing the Story from Inhil’s Coconut Farmers<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">These practices we found in Inhil are just one part of a larger story of connection between people and the peatlands they call home. Every decision—what to plant, how to share the work, when to harvest—reflects a deeper relationship between livelihoods and ecosystems.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Join us in uncovering more stories from Inhil’s peatland communities and how they adapt and thrive amidst change <a style="text-decoration:none;" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10668-025-06756-6?utm_source=rct_congratemailt&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=oa_20250913&amp;utm_content=10.1007%2Fs10668-025-06756-6"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">here</a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">. Also, don’t miss our webinar with Zentide and Greeneration Foundation, tomorrow, 16th October 2025 <a style="text-decoration:none;" href="https://webinar.greeneration.org/"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">here</a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">, as part of our World Food Day 2025 campaign.<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Stay connected with us on <a style="text-decoration:none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/tayjuhanafoundation/?hl=en"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">Instagram</a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;"> and <a style="text-decoration:none;" href="https://id.linkedin.com/company/tayjuhanafoundation"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">LinkedIn</a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;"> for updates and field stories from the ground.

Resilient Roots: How Indragiri Hilir’s Coconut Peatland Farmers Adapt to Change

<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tay Juhana Foundation (TJF) Annual Report 2025<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> represents a reflection of the journey we have taken together. It is a reminder of the work we have carried forward, the lessons we have embraced, and the resilience we have built along the way. More than a record of milestones, it embodies a shared commitment that continues to grow stronger.<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Throughout the year, this journey took shape through the initiation of experimental research projects in Indragiri Hilir, the development of key research themes on soil health, agroforestry, and water management, and the release of a range of publications to expand knowledge on suboptimal land agriculture. These efforts were further amplified through conference engagements and collaborations with diverse partners, while also growing a wider audience across digital platforms. Together, these highlights offer a glimpse into the work behind TJF’s mission. <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #ffffff; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We invite you to explore the full story by downloading the report available on this page.

Annual Report 2025: Collaborative Pathways to Food Sustainability

This commentary publication by Tay Juhana Foundation examines how escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly in strategic regions like the Strait of Hormuz, can disrupt energy and fertilizer supply chains and drive global food price volatility. It further explores Indonesia’s reliance on imported agricultural inputs and the broader implications for national food security amid ongoing global uncertainty. In particular, tensions involving Iran and the United States highlight how disruptions in energy markets can increase fertilizer production costs, which in turn affect agricultural output and food prices. In response, this commentary outlines two key pathways: short-term policy measures to stabilize supply and prices, and long-term strategies to strengthen resilience through the development of suboptimal lands. Read the full commentary to explore the analysis in depth and download the complete publication on this page.

TJF Commentary Series: How Global Conflict Could Make Your Food More Expensive?

The &quot;TJF Essay Series: World Food Day 2025 Edition,&quot; titled Farmer Regeneration: The Future of Indonesia&#039;s Food, is an anthology of critical thought from eight exceptional young authors, chosen through rigorous scientific curation in collaboration with academics from ITERA and advocacy practitioners from KRKP. This publication debunks the myth of youth indifference to agriculture, instead offering an optimistic vision for food sovereignty. Within these pages, the authors present a new manifesto that views agriculture not as a relic of the past but as a frontier of future innovation critical to national resilience.Substantively, the book examines practical solutions to Indonesia&#039;s farmer regeneration crisis. The topics covered range from using digital technology (smart farming) to attract young talent and socio-cultural approaches to preserve local agrarian wisdom to analyzing the policies needed to ensure the welfare of young farmers. This collection of essays invites readers to explore new ideas that combine idealism and practical solutions, making it an indispensable resource for anyone concerned about the future of Indonesia&#039;s food systems.

TJF Essay Series: Regenerasi Petani: Masa Depan Pangan Indonesia

In Indragiri Hilir, Riau, known as &quot;The Land of a Thousand Parit,&quot; the traditional canal system, or parit, is the lifeline of the community. More than just agricultural infrastructure, the parit embodies communal knowledge, intercultural cooperation, and an adaptive response to the tidal peatland environment. This system not only sustains agriculture but also serves as the primary access connecting villages and supporting livelihoods.However, this socio-ecological system, which has endured for generations, is now facing serious threats. This research brief delves into the multidimensional challenges confronting the parit, from environmental degradation, such as soil subsidence, flooding, and water contamination to the economic and social pressures weakening its communal governance.By tracing the history of the parit, its function as a community-based water management system, and its current condition, this research proposes a way forward. Recommended solutions include strengthening governance through deliberation (musyawarah), restoring ecological buffer zones like mangrove and nipah forests, and diversifying local economies to reduce farmer vulnerability. Understanding the parit not merely as infrastructure but as an integrated socio-ecological system is key to its revitalization and ensuring its sustainability amidst mounting challenges.

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From Hormuz to Home Gardens: What Women Farmers Teach Us About Food System Resilience

Diversity at the Iftar Table: Why Indonesia’s Food Resilience Is Not Just About Rice

Farming with Peatlands: Reflection from Indragiri Hilir

Opening Space for Youth Voices on Farmer Regeneration and Food Futures

Parit: Waterways that Shape Life in Indragiri Hilir

Resilient Roots: How Indragiri Hilir’s Coconut Peatland Farmers Adapt to Change

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From Hormuz to Home Gardens: What Women Farmers Teach Us About Food System Resilience

Diversity at the Iftar Table: Why Indonesia’s Food Resilience Is Not Just About Rice

Farming with Peatlands: Reflection from Indragiri Hilir

Opening Space for Youth Voices on Farmer Regeneration and Food Futures

Parit: Waterways that Shape Life in Indragiri Hilir

Resilient Roots: How Indragiri Hilir’s Coconut Peatland Farmers Adapt to Change

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