Indonesia

Our work in the cocoa, coffee and rice sectors dates back to the late 2000s. As of 2017, Indonesia was one of the first countries where we started up our Good Food for Cities programme. Currently, we are running our Sustainable cocoa & coffee programme, Sustainable rice programme, and our Good Food for Cities programme in the cities of Depok, Bandung, Solo and Denpasar.

Sustainable Cocoa and Coffee programme highlights for 2024

Through the USAID-funded Lascarcoco project, we strengthened gender inclusion across cocoa and coffee communities in 5 districts. We conducted gender trainings for 740 participants (35% women), supported the development of Gender and Inclusive Development Action Plans for each district, and supported women-led alternative agroforestry businesses. In Simalungun, women now produce 1–2 tonnes of torch ginger syrup monthly under a certified home industry permit. In Lindosugi, we co-established a honey processing house with the Village Government, enabling direct sales to City Mart Palopo. These value-added products diversify income sources for at least 80 families and strengthen community resilience in the face of price volatility.

Sustainable Rice programme highlights for 2024

In 2024, we launched a new partnership with the Livelihoods Fund, Sinar Agro Solusi (SAS), and three cooperatives in East Java, involving 750 farmers in the application of regenerative agricultural practices. The focus is on testing an intercropping model between rice and food crops (black soybeans, chilies) as well as perennials (lemon, dragon fruit) on more than 1,000 hectares. We also piloted farmer field schools to promote the SRP standard on larger plots—over 30 hectares in each of the four cooperatives we have collaborated with since 2022. A distinctive practice in Indonesia is the Jajar Legowo double-row spacing model, which has contributed to an increase in yields from 6 tonnes/ha up to 9-10 tonnes/ha. This technique requires the use of more seeds as well as improved soil quality. The space between the double rows reduces plant competition, lowers the risk of pest and disease attacks, and facilitates targeted fertiliser application.

Good Food for Cities programme highlights for 2024

Sustainable production in urban and peri-urban (UPA) areas has brought positive results. In Bali, intercropping patchouli with food crops such as broccoli and eggplant has increased the incomes of 21 farmers who farm on 14 hectares and now earn an average of €2,400 per hectare. This approach has increased access to healthy food, improved skills and strengthened social cohesion. To date, 84 hectares have been converted to regenerative agriculture, reaching more than 37,000 people. Building on the success of the GoodFood@School pilot in Surakarta, in 2024 the initiative was scaled up to 40 schools in Surakarta, Denpasar and Bandung, providing 23,648 students with access to healthy, sustainable food. In Surakarta, Rikolto helped revise school standards to include food safety and monitoring tools. These guidelines, which are now being implemented in the three cities, as well as the overall progress of our activities in Indonesia, are supported by multi-stakeholder platforms, food sharing initiatives and partnerships with the private sector, including hotels and restaurants.