Reviving rubber agroforestry in West Kalimantan, Indonesia

In the heart of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, the rhythm of daily life for many Indigenous families once revolved around rubber tapping. For generations, rubber agroforestry sustained their livelihoods and shaped their connection to the land. But in recent years, things have begun to change.

As global rubber prices declined and yields dropped, many farmers in Ketapang district struggled to make a living. Disillusioned by the instability, younger generations began turning away from rubber agroforests towards oil palm plantations. Although oil palm can be more profitable in the short term, reliance on a single commodity leaves farmers more vulnerable in the long run. Moreover, its rapid expansion threatens the region’s rich biodiversity, including critical orangutan habitats.

Rebuilding a sustainable rubber economy

To help change this trajectory, we began working with farmers in the Ketapang–Kayong Utara (KKU) landscape to restore rubber agroforestry as a viable and sustainable source of income, combining traditional knowledge with modern techniques. We set up Farmer Field Schools, where farmers and agricultural technicians worked side by side to improve rubber cultivation practices. Selected farmers and local extension officers were trained to share their knowledge, creating a ripple effect across communities.

Recognising the need for long-term viability, we helped establish a Collective Rubber Processing and Marketing Unit (UPPB) in 2022. This allowed 121 farmers to market their rubber collectively, boosting both their negotiating power and incomes. In 2024, with support from the Mobilising More for Climate (MoMo4C) programme, the UPPB became a fully recognised cooperative, called Juring Raya Sejahtera. The impact was immediate: rubber trades tripled from 8 tons in 2023 to 26 tons in 2024, and 205 farmers joined the cooperative, earning a combined gross profit of over IDR 380 million (around EUR 22,000).

To support this growth, local authorities provided in-kind support in the form of tools and equipment worth more than IDR 100 million. Village storage facilities were expanded, and the cooperative began exploring additional income sources, such as coffee and illipe nuts intercropped with rubber. The success encouraged more rubber farmers to sell to the cooperative, which offers better prices by selling processed rubber directly to larger companies instead of through middlemen.

Looking ahead

Challenges remain. Many rubber farmers still lack formal land titles, which leaves them vulnerable, especially under regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires proof that products are sourced from legally held land. To address this, we are now guiding farmer groups through the process of applying for social forestry permits, which provide legal land access for 35 years.

To further support diversification, the cooperative has identified a coffee buyer and is now seeking seed funding to help women and farmer groups market their products collectively. They are also partnering with organizations like Forestwise Wild Keepers to tap into the Illipe nut market, and are planning to explore options for biochar production from old rubber wood.

The transformation of rubber agroforestry in West Kalimantan is a story of collaboration and persistence. With continued support, these communities are not only reviving a tradition; they are shaping a sustainable future.