Description

Smallholder farmers in Kapuas Hulu district primarily cultivate commodity crops (oil palm, rubber, coffee, and cacao) in monocultural production systems of 2 to 5 hectares. Due to their reliance on a limited number of crops, these farmers are very vulnerable to market fluctuations, pests and disease problems, and impacts of climate change. The constraints of these commodity-based smallholder systems include: low crop diversity, sub-optimal commodity yields, limited existence of functional farmer organizations, isolated location and resultant high transportation costs, insufficient access to extension support and relevant in-formation, dependence on a small number of traders and middlemen, and certification compliance requirements that are difficult for individual farmers to fulfil. As a result of these conditions, smallholder farmer commodity production systems are economically, socially and environmentally unsustainable. The diversification of smallholder crops would create more robust and stable production systems by reducing risks associated with monocultural production, markets, and environmental/climate liability. The increase in on-farm biodiversity would offer a dynamic and varied yield of crops for household consumption and market sale, reduction in pest and disease vulnerability, and contribute to sustainable environmental management.

Research and experience demonstrate that oil palm, rubber, coffee and cacao – the priority commodity crops in Kapuas Hulu district – can all be produced in commercially-viable smallholder systems that integrate the concepts of agroforestry, integrated farming, permaculture, and regenerative agriculture. The resulting multi-species, multi-product systems enhance smallholder opportunities, livelihoods and climate resilience. To address these issues, GIZ is implementing the Greening Agriculture for Smallholder Supply Chains (GRASS) project. As part of this project, ICRAF implements the Strengthen Rural Capacity in Kapuas Hulu district towards Enhancing the Climate-Smart Agriculture Technologies and Practices of Smallholder Commodity Farmers (ESCAP) project. The objective of the project is to enhance the economic and environmental resilience of smallholder farmers in Kapuas Hulu district by enhancing the technical and planning capacity of a cadre of 100 agriculture extensions agents and model farmers (collectively rural advisors), with an intended minimum of 40% of whom are woman, to train farmers and facilitate the adoption and adaptation of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies and practices by farmers.