MAMA TANAH ProgramBuilding Resilience: Women Farmers Take on Climate Change
Combining indigenous wisdom with technology, we find simple solutions that restore soil health and biodiversity - and empower smallholder farmers in Eastern Indonesia adapt to a changing climate.
The Problem
Every year, we damage 12 million hectares of soil through deforestation, intensive farming and urbanization. If this continues, the UN estimates that we only have 60 years of harvest cycles.
In rural Indonesia, women are disproportionately impacted by this crisis. With unpredictable drought and rain, crop failures are becoming and everyday reality and making it increasingly harder to grow food.
Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are expensive and only offers a short-term fix. Over longer time horizons they deplete soils and contribute to the warming of our planet.
From Victim to Solution
While women and our soil have been the victims of climate change, they also are the key to lead the solution.
In the villages we work with, more and more are reclaiming their indigenous regenerative farming wisdom. Locally called ‘Tumpang Sari’, it mimics Nature’s way of growing things: From intercropping agroforestry, to mulching and no tilling, to using only natural pesticide and fertilizers.
Working with nature, not against it, they restore the health of the soil, so it can store more water and become more resilient against drought and erosion. In the process creating food forests that help make the community more resilient.
The result: higher, more diverse yields for our farmers, no more need for expensive chemicals - and a valuable contribution to mitigate climate change.
Healthy soils absorb excess CO2 from the atmosphere - as much as 10 tonnes per hectare, the equivalent of burning 5,000 kilograms of coal.
Until 2030, our Soil Mothers (‘MAMA TANAH’) will restore One Thousand Hectares of degraded land.
Empowering Women to Restore Soil Health
Through our MAMA TANAH program, we reintroduce and spread regenerative practices in Eastern Indonesia. In ways that heal depleted soils and create better livelihoods for women who need it most.
Providing Training
Together with our local partners, we provide free training to farming communities in need - and support them in their transition to regenerative practices. From free organic fertilizers to market access by connecting them with various stakeholders.
Indigenous Wisdom Meets Technology
To guarantee the success of the project, we work closely with researchers to find simple ways to combine indigenous wisdom with the latest technology.
Running small scale experiments in our Research Center to find what works - from reintegrating livestock to moisture sensors and drip irrigation.
Long Term Systemic Change
To sustain the impact, we bring together stakeholders from grassroot communities, universities, research institutes, private companies for market access, as well as advocacy work with the local and national governments to increase awareness and adoption.
In Eastern Indonesia, women are respectfully addressed as ‘Mama’.
Support a Mama
Help us provide free trainings and research & develop even better ways of supporting our farmers - through climate efficient composting, charcoal and refined agroforestry systems.
Together, ensuring more Mamas can nurture our soil.
Donate Through Bank Transfer (IDR / US$)
Transfer your contribution to our verified account:
Bank: Bank Central Asia (BCA)
Account #: 288 884 0228
Name: YAY Rumah Sukkha Citta
Bank Code: 014
Branch Code: KCU PURI INDAH (0288)
Swift: CENAIDJA
Please email your name, the amount you donated and your payment reference number to donations@rumahsukkhacitta.org so we can send a receipt and keep you in the loop with the progress in the field.