Sustainable Agriculture for Enhanced Resilience (SAfER) Project

Summary

The video highlights the persistent issue of food insecurity in Indonesia, particularly in the eastern regions like Belu district in West Timor, which suffers from frequent floods and droughts. Traditional agricultural practices and the impact of climate change exacerbate the situation. The Safer or Sustainable Agriculture for Enhancing Resilience Project, initiated by CRS, aims to empower communities through sustainable farming techniques, including terracing, organic fertilization, and crop diversification. The project also integrates disaster risk reduction and gender approaches, fostering community resilience against climate change and improving food security.

Takeaways

• 🌾 Many Indonesians face food insecurity, particularly in the eastern regions where traditional agricultural practices limit food production.
• 🏞️ The Belu district in West Timor experiences frequent floods and droughts, exacerbating food insecurity and affecting community livelihoods.
• 💧 Water scarcity is a significant issue, especially during the dry season, leaving communities struggling with access to clean drinking water.
• 🌍 Climate change and extreme weather patterns have led to prolonged droughts and floods, severely impacting food production and security in affected areas.
• 👩‍🌾 Local farmers often lack knowledge and access to information on climate patterns, which hampers their ability to adapt and mitigate disaster risks.
• 🌱 CRS (Catholic Relief Services) has been working in Indonesia since 1957, aiming to empower marginalized communities through sustainable agriculture and resilience projects.
• 🔄 The SAFIR project introduced by CRS focuses on sustainable agricultural practices, including terracing, water management, organic fertilizers, and crop diversification.
• 🌳 The project incorporates long-term planting of trees as part of a community action plan to reduce future disaster risks and promote environmental sustainability.
• 🤝 CRS collaborates with both government and non-government partners to enhance the effectiveness of their programs and ensure continued guidance and support for farmers.
• 📈 The project's monitoring and evaluation are conducted using community-based tools and methods, fostering a learning environment and adaptive management.
• 🏡 The implementation of these initiatives has led to improved agricultural outcomes, increased food production, and enhanced community resilience against climate-related challenges.

Q & A

What is a significant issue faced by many Indonesians, especially in the eastern part of the country?

Food insecurity remains a significant problem in many places in Indonesia, particularly in the eastern part of the country.

Which district in West Timor is mentioned as being severely affected by food insecurity?

The Belu district in West Timor is mentioned as one of the districts that has seen flood and drought almost on a regular basis and has been recorded low on the country's Food Security Index.

What traditional agricultural practices are mentioned in the script that contribute to low food production?

The script mentions traditional agricultural practices such as slash-and-burn methods and limited use of organic fertilizers, which result in low food production.

How do natural disasters and climate change impact the community's food security in Belu?

Natural disasters and climate change affect the community's food security by causing prolonged droughts, floods, and other calamities, leading to low food production and low purchasing power of the community.

What is the main challenge faced by the community during the dry season as mentioned in the script?

The main challenge faced by the community during the dry season is the scarcity of water, making it difficult to find water for drinking and other uses.

What is the Safer or Sustainable Agriculture for Enhancing Resilience (SAFIR) project aimed at?

The SAFIR project is aimed at strengthening the community's food security and reducing the impact of climate change by introducing safer agricultural practices.

What are some of the agricultural technologies introduced by CRS in the SAFIR program?

CRS introduced technologies such as terracing, soil conservation through holes and traps, organic fertilizer production including compost and liquid fertilizers, and organic pesticides.

How does the SAFIR program integrate intersectoral strategies to address food security and climate change?

The SAFIR program integrates intersectoral strategies such as disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and a gender approach to address food security and climate change.

What is the role of the government in the collaboration with CRS and local communities mentioned in the script?

The script mentions that the government, along with the church and CRS, can collaborate to provide guidance and intervention to farmers, which is expected to enhance the effectiveness of the programs.

What are the benefits of forming groups and receiving guidance from CRS as experienced by the community?

The community has experienced benefits such as improved crop yields, access to water sources, and learning new farming techniques like legowo system, which has led to abundant harvests and increased food security.

How has the implementation of the SAFIR program changed the community's approach to farming and water management?

The implementation of the SAFIR program has led to changes in the community's approach to farming, such as adopting new planting techniques and crop diversification, and improved water management through the construction of wells and rainwater harvesting.

Outlines

00:00

🌾 Challenges of Food Security in Indonesia

The script discusses the issue of food insecurity in Indonesia, particularly in the eastern part of the country. It highlights the case of Belu district in West Timor, which is prone to natural disasters like floods and droughts, leading to low food production and purchasing power. Traditional agricultural practices are mentioned as a factor limiting the effectiveness of farming. The script also touches on the impact of climate change on the community's food security, with extreme weather patterns exacerbating existing problems. The narrative includes personal accounts of the hardships faced by the community due to lack of water and the struggle to maintain agricultural productivity.

05:03

🌱 Sustainable Agriculture for Enhanced Resilience

This paragraph describes the initiatives taken by CRS (Catholic Relief Services) to address food insecurity in Indonesia through the introduction of sustainable agriculture practices. The program, named SAFIR, aims to strengthen community food security and resilience against the impacts of climate change. It includes the introduction of terracing, soil conservation techniques, organic fertilization, and the use of organic pesticides. The program also emphasizes plant diversification for short, medium, and long-term harvests, as well as post-harvest management. The script outlines the integration of intersectoral strategies such as disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and a gender approach. The goal is to build resilience and reduce disaster risks through community action plans, including reforestation efforts.

🤝 Collaboration for Improved Agricultural Outcomes

The script highlights the collaboration between CRS and local partners, including government entities, to enhance agricultural practices and outcomes. It emphasizes the importance of continuous guidance and intervention for farmers to adapt to changing climate patterns. The paragraph mentions the positive impact of collaboration between the government, the church, and CRS, suggesting that such partnerships can lead to better agricultural outcomes. The script also discusses the project's monitoring and evaluation methods, which are designed to be simple and community-based. Personal testimonials are included, showcasing the transformation in agricultural productivity and the alleviation of water scarcity, thanks to the implemented strategies and the formation of community groups that have received guidance on modern farming techniques.

Keywords

💡Poverty line

The poverty line refers to the minimum level of income deemed adequate to maintain basic living standards. In the context of the video, it is mentioned that many Indonesians are living under this line, highlighting the economic challenges faced by the population. The video emphasizes the struggle of people in the Belu district, where traditional agricultural practices and the impact of natural disasters contribute to food insecurity and poverty.

💡Food insecurity

Food insecurity is a situation where people lack consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. The script mentions that food insecurity remains a problem in many parts of Indonesia, particularly in the eastern regions. The video discusses how communities in the Belu district suffer from low food production and purchasing power, which exacerbates food insecurity.

💡Natural disaster

Natural disasters are catastrophic events caused by natural processes of the Earth, such as floods, droughts, and storms. The video script highlights that the Belu district has experienced floods and droughts on a regular basis, which have a direct impact on agricultural productivity and community food security. These disasters disrupt the traditional agricultural practices and contribute to the cycle of poverty.

💡Climate change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. It is mentioned in the script as a factor affecting community food security by causing extreme changes in climate patterns, leading to prolonged droughts and floods. The video emphasizes the need for adaptation strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on agriculture and food production.

💡Agricultural practices

Agricultural practices are the methods and techniques used in farming to cultivate crops and raise livestock. The script describes traditional agricultural practices in the Belu district that do not yield maximum results, as they are limited to basic techniques like slash-and-burn farming. The video suggests that introducing modern and sustainable agricultural practices is key to improving food security.

💡Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is an approach to farming that considers the long-term viability of agricultural systems, the environment, and the community's well-being. The video discusses a project by CRS that introduces sustainable agricultural techniques, such as terracing, water management through holes and traps, and organic farming, to enhance food security and resilience against climate change.

💡Disaster mitigation

Disaster mitigation involves actions taken to reduce the impact of disasters. The video mentions that farmers in the Belu district lack knowledge and skills in disaster mitigation. The CRS project aims to address this by providing education and training on sustainable agriculture, which includes disaster risk reduction strategies.

💡Organic farming

Organic farming is a method of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost, and biological pest control. The script mentions the introduction of organic farming practices, including the use of compost, liquid fertilizers, and organic pesticides, as part of the sustainable agriculture project to improve soil health and crop yields.

💡Community-based approach

A community-based approach involves local communities in the planning, implementation, and management of projects that affect them. The video script describes how CRS works with local partners and uses community-based tools and methods for project monitoring and evaluation. This approach empowers communities to take ownership of their development and ensures that projects are tailored to their specific needs and contexts.

💡Resilience

Resilience in the context of the video refers to the ability of communities to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties, such as natural disasters or economic shocks. The video discusses a project that aims to build resilience by integrating disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategies, such as reforestation and the planting of long-term plants, to reduce future disaster risks.

💡Gender approach

A gender approach in development projects recognizes and addresses the different needs, roles, and opportunities of men, women, and other gender identities. While not explicitly detailed in the script, the mention of intersectoral strategies implies that the project considers gender dynamics, ensuring that both men and women benefit from the initiatives and have equal opportunities to participate.

Highlights

Many Indonesians live under the poverty line, with food insecurity being a significant issue, especially in the eastern part of the country.

Belu district in West Timor is one of the least food-secure districts in Indonesia, experiencing regular floods and droughts.

Traditional agricultural practices in Belu district result in suboptimal yields.

Natural disasters and climate change exacerbate food insecurity in communities like Belu.

Lack of water during the dry season is a critical issue for communities, affecting even basic needs like drinking water.

Farmers in Belu lack knowledge and access to information on climate patterns, leading to inadequate disaster mitigation skills.

CRS initiated the Safer or Sustainable Agriculture for Enhancing Resilience (SAFIR) project to strengthen community food security and reduce climate change impacts.

CRS has been operating in Indonesia since 1957, partnering with local organizations to help disadvantaged communities.

The SAFIR program introduces terrace farming, water management techniques, and organic farming methods to improve agricultural practices.

The program also focuses on crop diversification for short, medium, and long-term food security.

Intersectoral strategies such as disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and a gender approach are integrated into the program.

The program aims for resilience through disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, including community action plans for future disaster risks.

CRS collaborates with the government and other partners to provide guidance and intervention to farmers.

The project includes monitoring and evaluation using community-based tools and methods for learning.

Farmers have reported improvements in their gardens and an increase in crop yields since joining the SAFIR program.

Access to water has improved for communities, with the construction of wells bringing water closer to homes.

The formation of community groups has led to better farming practices and increased crop yields.

The program has been successful in enhancing food security and resilience in the face of climate change and natural disasters.

Transcripts

[Musik]

many indonesians are still living under

poverty line but food insecurity Remains

a problem in many places in Indonesia

especially in eastern part of the

country bellu district in west timore is

one of the sest BR district in Entit

that has seen flood and drought almost

on regular basis and it has also been

recorded low on the country's Food

security

index agricultural practices are also

still traditional that made the results

are not

Maximum Kami punya kehidupan dalam rumah

tangga itu sangat sulit sekali dan susah

maemati punya Karena saya hanya melihat

papak saja yang kerja sendiri yaitu

bikin kebun dia bikin kebun juga Hanya

begitu-begitu saja karena hanya pigi

tebas terus itu bakar tanam tanam juga

hanya begitu saja terus itu sampai dapat

hasil juga

sedikit natural disaster and climate

change affect the community food

security the more extremely changing

climate patterns have LED to prolong

drought flood and other natural

calamity communities in Belu often

suffer from worst food

insecurity low food production and low

purchasing Power of the Community

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panas itu air

sukering kita tidak bisa pakai minum

saja setengah mati air tidak

ada

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access to information on the changing of

climate patterns Hence their lack of

skill on disaster mitigation based on

the assessment Cres initiated safer or

sustainable Agriculture for enhanc

resilient Project Which was Aim at

strengthening the communi Food security

to reduce the impact of the climate

change catalic relief Services or CRS

has been operating in Indonesia since

1957 to help marginalized and

disadvantage community to realize their

full potential to be selfreliant and to

live in Dignity in its Operation CRS

works together with local partners both

Church affiliated and secular

organizations as an implementation of

plan strategy

teknologi pertanian yang kita

perkenalkan dalam program safir ini yang

pertama

terraaring kemudian olah jalur olah

lubang dan jebakan untuk konservasi

tanah dilengkapi dengan pembuatan pupuk

organik dalam hal ini kompos kemudian

pupuk cair dan

pestisida organik selain itu

juga kita melengkapi dengan

diversifikasi tanaman dalam hal ini

untuk jangka pendek jangka menengah dan

jangka panjang pengolan paks panen

kemudian

sortasi

penyimpanan dan budiaya sayur-sayuran

dan pohon-pohon yang lain several

intersectural strategies such as

disaster risk reduction climate change

adaptation and gender approach are also

integrated

Salah satu tujuan dari program ini

adalah menuju ketahanan atau toward

resilience di mana program ini

menggunakan melakukan pendekatan

pengurangan risiko bencana dan juga

berintegrasi dengan adaptasi perubahan

iklim kegiatan eh penanaman pohon

tanaman umur panjang ini ini merupakan

bagian dari rencana aksi masyarakat atau

community action plan untuk untuk

mengurangi risiko bencanaan di masa yang

akan datang reforest

[Musik]

ing and

householdi CRS ppse and ymtm are also

partnering andaborating with government

of with an expectation that

thisaboration

could karena petani harus tetap

diberikan pembimbingan dan intervensi

kami pemerintah sudah buat banyak tetapi

apabila pemerintah dengan gereja dengan

CRS itu bisa berkolaborasi bekerja

bersama-sama ini akan bagus the sa

Project monitoring and evaluation is

Design and implemented using simple

community Based approach tools and

method for the learningess are us before

the the

[Musik]

ya sekarang kebun saya sudah AG baik itu

hari saya sendiri kebun itu tidak baik

sama sekali tanamtanaman umur pendek

umur panjang juga tidak jadi berasil ini

tahun ikut saf sekarang tanaman di dalam

kelompok itu semua hasil yang bagus

tanam pisang juga subur tanam ubi kayu

juga subur tanam jagung juga subur apa

yang ada di dalam kebun itu semua subur

ada perubahan ini tahun tidak sama

seperti tahun

lalu-lalu sekarang kami senang karena

sumur sudah dekat sebelum sumur ada kami

timbangnya di sungai jadi jauh kami

orang tua hanya bawa dua-dua jaringan

saja pagi sore Kami dua bapak bapak dua

saya dua anak-anak ada kami semua Pi air

sumur itu kami dipakai untuk minum cuci

mandi Terima kasih

banyak sebelum tahu artinya kelompok

kami berkelompok kami bentuk kelompok

dan dari PPL itu dapat arahan bahwa cara

tanam baris terus dari sistem legowo

jadi dari tanam baris itu saya hanya

tanam dua-dua bulir jagung saja dan itu

Paris dan hasilnya yang dapat melimpah

ini ibu terima

[Musik]

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