In the heart of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, where climate change once spelled disaster for agriculture, the Climate Field School has turned the tide. By empowering farmers with critical insights into flood and tide patterns, this innovative program has ensured that not a single crop failed in 2023.
Mempawah, a city in the West Kalimantan province, carved by rivers and swathed in fertile lands, is on the frontline of climate change. Here, most of the farmers are women who juggle roles beyond tending to their fields, while their husbands work to support the family. Like many women in this community, 39-year-old Meilani, a dedicated rice farmer, a homemaker, and a mother to three children, wears many hats.
“It hasn’t been easy. The frequent floods in the past two years have caused crop failures. We’ve also had to deal with pest infestations from snails and rats. There are certainly a lot of challenges.”
Last year, unexpected heavy rains and a sudden tide coincided with the harvest season, wiping out Meilani’s crops. Struggling to meet her income targets, she was compelled to buy rice from the local market after her own crop failed, further straining her reduced finances.
Caption: A river flows in front of houses, and the water level tends to rise easily in Mempawah.
The Ministry of National Development Plan warns that climate change threatens West Kalimantan’s agriculture, risking reduced rice production and impacting the local economy, a lifeline for many. With 10 of its cities marked as ‘Top Priority’ for action, floods have already turned 10,464 hectares of crops into aquatic wasteland, spelling disaster for local farmers like Meilani.
Empowering Farmers through Climate Field School Programme
The Climate Field School Programme, spearheaded by the Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency in West Kalimantan, has revolutionized local farming practices. “It has been incredibly helpful for us,” Meilani shared, echoing the sentiments of her fellow farmers.
Initially navigating their fields with little to no understanding of evolving climate impacts, they’ve since mastered the art of reading weather forecasts and adjusting their farming techniques accordingly. This newfound knowledge has been pivotal, with Meilani highlighting, “Now, I can predict floods and tides, which is why we’ve had no crop failures this year.”
The program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to meet the unique agricultural challenges of the region, teaching farmers to adapt to climate variability. Beyond the classroom, the initiative extends its support through agricultural extension workers and utilizes WhatsApp for real-time weather updates and agricultural advice, ensuring that farmers like Meilani are never left to face the elements alone.
Caption: Syahminar, a male leader of the farmer group in this area, explained how his group improved their knowledge of agriculture and climate. His group is the most successful group among the Climate Field School participants.
In 2023, WFP and the West Kalimantan Climate Station had organized a workshop aimed at developing anticipatory action mechanisms for climate change and food security. The West Kalimantan Climate Station is innovating with a Flood Modelling for Agriculture Area product to predict floods or droughts. By tailoring early warning messages for local communities, they’re ensuring effective communication before a climate shock hits. A Climate Field School review linked with anticipatory action implementation is paving the way for impactful results.
Beyond Boundaries and collaboration
A public consultation with key ministries, academia, and experts revised the Climate Field curriculum, discussed innovative solutions, and introduced a product mock-up, aiming to gather inputs on economic loss calculation, enhancing communication between farmers and officials, and specific farmer needs. The updated curriculum includes a gender perspective and new modules on anticipatory action and advocacy to prevent crop failures like Meilani’s.
Caption: A farmer from Mulia Jaya village told WFP that crop failure has been recurring several times this year’s planting season. His and his fellow farmers’ efforts to drain water and repair water gates have failed due to their lack of understanding of climate patterns and government funding mechanisms.
Innovative solutions, like the Climate Field School Programme and the upcoming Flood Modelling for Agriculture Area, are reducing the challenges faced by farmers. By empowering people with knowledge of climate patterns and early warning systems, WFP together with the government and partners are taking proactive measures to mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture. The active involvement of stakeholders, as demonstrated in the public consultation workshop and in the Climate Field School curriculum review, ensures that solutions are tailored to the community’s specific needs. As West Kalimantan moves forward, these initiatives will protect livelihoods and contribute to the sustainability of the local economy.
WFP thanks the Government of Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for its generous contributions.