Sunarti’s hands know the soil of Kaladi Darussalam like an old friend. Born and raised in this small village in Luwu, South Sulawesi, she grew up in a community once known as Kampung Kakao, a village built on the strength of cacao. “Cacao was our life,” she says simply. “It wasn’t just a crop. It was our pride, our culture.”

Kaladi Darussalam is a part of Luwu Regency, one of Indonesia’s largest cacao-producing regions. For decades, cacao shaped not just the local economy but also the identity of the people here. The scent of sun-drying cocoa beans once filled the air, and every family had a role in the harvest. “We were proud to be cacao farmers,” Sunarti recalls.

But the golden era has faded. Cacao prices in Luwu—and Indonesia more broadly—began to fall in the early 1990s, shaking the foundation of many farming communities. As incomes dropped, the resilience of the cacao trees was further tested by a devastating pest: Penggerek Buah Kakao (PBK) or the cocoa pod borer (Conopomorpha cramerella). “It was too much,” Sunarti says. “We didn’t know how to fight the pests, and the price kept going down. We gave up.”

With no training or support in pest control, families abandoned their cacao trees and turned to clove farming, hoping for a more stable income.

But clove farming brought new problems. Unlike cacao, cloves made the land vulnerable. “The roots aren’t strong,” Sunarti explains. “When it rains, the soil washes away. Landslides became common.” The loss of the cacao trees, with their robust root systems, left the soil vulnerable. The village had traded one problem for another, highlighting a deep need for agricultural practices that worked in harmony with the environment.

Now, a new chapter is beginning in Kaladi Darussalam, one filled with renewed hope. This resurgence is being nurtured by a collaborative effort, bringing new knowledge and support to the village. The focus is on a future where agriculture and nature can coexist, healing the land made vulnerable by the past.

With the support from Food Systems, Land Use, and Restoration (FOLUR) project, implemented by Indonesian Coordinating Ministry of Food Affairs, UNDP, FAO, and funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF), Sunarti and fellow farmers are relearning cacao—this time with sustainable practices, technical training, and environmental awareness. They are learning how to manage their crops effectively, ensuring the health of the entire ecosystem, from the forests to the water resources.

This new approach also recognizes the vital role of women. "I work alongside my husband in the fields—whatever needs to be done, I do it," Sunarti says, representing the many women who are the backbone of family farms. The formal establishment of the Women Farmers Group (Kelompok Wanita Tani/KWT) in 2022 institutionalizes this role, ensuring that the voices and needs of women are central to the community's agricultural revival.

The ultimate goal is to build a stable and profitable future for cacao in Kaladi Darussalam. Through the FOLUR Project, efforts are underway to strengthen partnerships between communities, the private sector, and local government, creating a more reliable and equitable market. By addressing the price fluctuations that once drove farmers away, the project aims to ensure that the hard work of farmers like Sunarti is valued and fairly compensated, paving the way for a truly sustainable cacao value chain—from the village to the marketplace.

"I am happy if we truly succeed, we will relive the glory of Kaladi Darussalam as Kampung Kakao," she says, her eyes reflecting a powerful optimism. Her hope is not just for a successful harvest, but for the restoration of her village's pride and legacy. For International Cacao Day, Sunarti’s story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a reminder that with the right support, a community can reclaim its heritage and cultivate a sweeter, more sustainable future for generations to come.