10 Jul 2026

Project

From rice fields to farmer influence: increasing civic and economic space for farmers in Java's rice heartland

The project "From Rice Fields to Farmer Influence: Increasing Civic and Economic Space for Farmers in Java's Rice Heartland" aims to improve the livelihoods of rice farmers and labourers in Central and East Java, Indonesia, by fostering sustainable practices and advocating for policy changes. The project focuses on empowering smallholder farmers, enhancing productivity through Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) practices, and establishing recognition of SRP-verified rice as specialty rice to enable higher profits and sustainability.

Challenges

Persistent poverty and low income among rice farmers due to government-regulated rice prices.
Climate vulnerability, including erratic weather patterns and reduced water availability.
High dependence on agrochemicals, leading to financial strain and environmental harm.
Resistance to sustainable practices due to limited awareness and support from public institutions.
Lack of market recognition and premium pricing for sustainably produced rice.

Beneficiaries

The project targets 1,800 smallholder rice farmers, including tenants and casual labourers, across five regencies in Central and East Java. It also supports farmer organizations and their networks, indirectly benefiting an additional 75,000 rice farmers. Special attention is given to the inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups within farmer organizations.

Objectives

Enhance the civic and economic capacities of rice farmers to influence policies and practices.
Promote adoption of SRP standards to improve productivity, environmental sustainability, and social equity.
Strengthen farmer organizations to advocate for their members’ interests.
Increase recognition of SRP-verified rice as specialty rice among public authorities and market actors.
Build partnerships to integrate sustainable practices across the national rice value chain.

Capacity building: Train Koalisi Rakyat untuk Kedaulatan Pangan (KRKP), Rikolto, and farmer organizations on SRP practices, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy strategies.
Sustainable farming practices: Provide technical training and establish 120 Farmer Field Schools (FFS) to disseminate SRP methods.
Advocacy: Develop multistakeholder platforms to engage local and national authorities in recognizing SRP-verified rice.
Market integration: Connect farmers with rice millers and buyers interested in sustainable rice to build a reliable supply chain.
Community empowerment: Empower women and youth through dedicated modules focused on inclusion and entrepreneurship.

Expected results

Increased productivity and profitability through adopting sustainable practices.
Reduced environmental impact with efficient resource use and minimized greenhouse gas emissions.
Enhanced advocacy capacity of farmer organizations, leading to better representation of farmers’ interests.
Recognition of SRP-verified rice as a premium product opens new market opportunities.
Strengthened partnerships to scale sustainable practices nationally.

Impact

The project aims to transform rice farming into a sustainable livelihood while addressing climate change, food security, and poverty. By advocating policy changes and demonstrating the benefits of SRP practices, it seeks to influence national agricultural standards and advance global sustainability goals.