The global food situation is impacted by unpredictable climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and disruptions in supply chains that have led to sharp increases in food prices. In 2024, nearly 294 million people across 53 countries faced acute food insecurity, underscoring the urgent need for more resilient and sustainable food systems. 

In Southeast Asia, the region’s interconnected economies and shared climate risks make food security a collective challenge. In Singapore, over 90% of the food supply comes from abroad. Hence, the country is particularly vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. Extreme weather conditions, such as rising sea levels and higher average temperatures, further threaten local infrastructure and limited agricultural activity, posing long-term risks to national food security. To mitigate these risks, Singapore introduced the “30 by 30” initiative, aiming to build up its agri-food industry’s capability and capacity by producing 30% of its nutritional needs locally by 2030. 

Support from communities 

Across the region, including in Indonesia, food security is also safeguarded at the community level. Here, indigenous women are playing a vital yet often overlooked role. In remote areas, they are not only responsible for feeding their families but also for preserving traditional food knowledge and adapting agricultural practices in the face of a changing climate. 

One of them is Maria Fatima Bunga, known affectionately as Mama Fatima, who lived in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Every day for years, Fatima has risen at 4:00 a.m., carried multiple jerrycans, and walked half a kilometer on rocky paths to reach the Ae Wuka spring. Long queues often mean she has to wait until nightfall before she can return with water. 

Meanwhile, in the Mentawai Islands, Fernanda, a housewife from the Mentawai tribe, faces the challenge of degraded customary forests. Land once abundant with trees and productive plants has now become brush and barren land with little economic value. 

The crisis faced by indigenous women like Fatima and Fernanda is also supported by various organizations, helping them tackle these challenges. Wahana Tani Mandiri (WTM) and Yayasan Citra Mandiri Mentawai (YCMM) are members of Aliansi Kolibri, a coalition aimed at combating deforestation and promoting sustainability in Indonesia’s agricultural sector. 

WTM identifies land degradation and the use of chemical fertilizers as the main causes of the reduced water retention capacity of the soil. To address this, WTM has been assisting the community in land restoration programs around the Ae Wuka spring. 

“Planting trees not only restores the environment, but it also restores our lives. Water is our hope, and these trees are also our hope for the fruits they will bear in the future,” Fatima said. 

YCMM supports Fernanda’s Uma Samalelet community through various initiatives, including mapping customary land areas, providing plant seedlings, and training in planting techniques and pest management. With YCMM’s help, Fernanda’s community now has a legally recognized customary forest management scheme. 

“With YCMM’s support, we can remain independent while protecting nature, which is the source of our life and rights,” Fernanda said. 

Impact and hope for the future 

The restoration programs by WTM and YCMM have brought tangible changes to the indigenous people affected by the food and environmental crises. With land now green and productive again, the community is beginning to see improvements in agricultural yields and ecological quality. 

In Korobhera Village, the regrowth of vegetation has enhanced the soil’s water retention capacity and improved water access for the residents. The community has started adopting regenerative agriculture to preserve soil fertility. The return of vegetation has also helped restore the ecosystem, attracting wildlife that had disappeared and revitalizing the small forests around the Ae Wuka spring. The land restoration and more stable water flows have given new hope for future generations. 

Meanwhile, in Madobag Village, the trees that have been planted offer new hope for the community to secure a more sustainable livelihood. With YCMM’s support, the indigenous rights of the Mentawai people have been strengthened, allowing them to continue managing their forests as part of their identity and their long-term survival. 

“For this, we need long-term solutions, such as better water storage systems, more environmentally friendly farming methods, and access to high-quality seeds. If this restoration is expanded, more families will feel its benefits. We want our village to be more resilient in facing changing seasons, with water sources still available, and crop yields sufficient to meet our daily needs,” concluded Fatima. 

About Aliansi Kolibri 

Aliansi Kolibri is a coalition committed to combating deforestation and increasing sustainability in Indonesia’s agricultural sector. Founded in 2021, Aliansi Kolibri focuses on strengthening the capacity of local civil society organizations in addressing climate change and natural resource conservation. With a community-based approach, Aliansi Kolibri promotes collaboration between indigenous people, civil organizations, and the government to create sustainable solutions from the bottom up. 

Aliansi Kolibri also serves as a forum for sharing lessons learned, seeking alternative sources of funding, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Through strategic partnerships, Aliansi Kolibri aims to strengthen networks that enable the realization of a more sustainable environment and better agricultural productivity in Indonesia.