TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Aliansi Kolibri, a coalition promoting sustainable agriculture and fighting deforestation in Indonesia, said local involvement in sustainability is important in contrast with dominant national strategies such as the extensive development of new agricultural lands known as 'food estates'.

The coalition, officially launched in Jakarta today, comprises eight civil society organizations. It represents a united effort to bolster local initiatives often overshadowed by national and global agendas.

Bernadinus Steni, the Chairperson of Aliansi Kolibri, said that “while these large-scale projects capture government interest, they often do not address the core issues faced by local farmers, such as land degradation and climate change”.

The coalition’s approach focuses on grassroots movements to develop sustainable farming practices that broader governmental initiatives overlook. Challenges such as the lack of education on sustainable practices, access to modern technology, and alternative financing are significant hurdles at the local level.

Aliansi Kolibri was established in 2021 with the mission of enhancing the capability of local organizations to address climate change and conserve natural resources. Currently, the alliance spans nine districts with forested areas throughout the Indonesian archipelago.

The coalition includes various local civil society organizations, such as Jaringan Komunikasi Masyarakat Adat in Aceh, Serikat Petani Kelapa Sawit in Jambi, and Wahana Tani Mandiri in Nusa Tenggara Timur. Kaleka serves as the coalition's secretariat and is hopeful for Aliansi Kolibri's growing membership and impact in the coming years.

Through partnerships and advocacy, Aliansi Kolibri aims to establish a sustainable environmental future driven by local communities' needs and voices rather than top-down directives.

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