Today’s pepper planting activity took place on the land of a reserve R1 farmer, who is currently unable to work in the field due to a recent accident. In his place, the planting was carried out by his son with support from close friends—a strong reflection of intergenerational cooperation and the growing role of youth in sustaining farming practices.
A total of 315 planting holes were prepared, with a spacing of 2 meters between each plant. The pepper seedlings, grown in polybags, were propagated independently by the farmer’s son and his peers, showcasing their initiative and emerging technical skills.
Notably, the land also applies a diversified planting (polyculture) approach as part of its agroforestry strategy. Along the plot’s borders—adjacent to oil palm trees—coconut, mango, and guava trees have been planted. Meanwhile, in the interspaces between pepper rows, aromatic rhizomes like kencur (aromatic ginger) and turmeric are cultivated. These additional crops serve as both economic supplements and ecological supports, helping to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
This initiative demonstrates how farmers, even in times of hardship, continue to innovate, adapt, and build resiliencethrough diverse and integrated farming systems.
