Project report

Project Background

Rote Island is one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in Indonesia where long dry seasons, unreliable rainfall and low household incomes limit families’ access to nutritious food. When rain doesn’t fall or temperatures rise, many families reduce the diversity of their diets, often relying only on starches. This is especially harmful for pregnant women and young children, contributing to a high amount of stunting across Rote. The Resilient Roots project was created to help families strengthen their food security by establishing nutrition gardens using crops suited to a hotter, drier climate. These gardens are part of SurfAid’s wider Rote Malole program, which works across 12 villages to improve maternal and child health, nutrition and early childhood care. Together, these initiatives build a foundation for climate-resilient food systems that families can maintain long into the future. 

Key Project Activities

The project focused on improving both the supply of diverse foods and the knowledge required to use them effectively. SurfAid established a mini demonstration farm at the Rote basecamp to act as a hands-on learning centre for women’s groups, community-based mobilisers and Posyandu (community health post) volunteers. This space was used to demonstrate climate-resilient crops, soil preparation, water-saving techniques, and basic pest control suited to local conditions. Women were able to practise planting methods before replicating them in their own yards. Twenty women’s groups received distributions of hardy plant-based protein seeds, including beans and other legumes that thrive in low-rainfall environments. SurfAid staff and agricultural assistants travelled village-to-village to monitor communities' nutrition gardens, provide planting guidance and troubleshoot local challenges such as poor soil, livestock disturbance and limited water access. These practical sessions built confidence and encouraged women to coordinate planting times and share techniques. The project also supported a series of community education activities, introducing families to simple Climate Change Adaptation concepts, preparation and consumption of nutritious food from their garden, and reinforcing the importance of balanced diets during pregnancy and the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. SurfAid developed interactive communication materials tailored to local language and literacy levels, helping families understand how home gardens contribute to children’s growth and long-term health. 

Key Project Outcomes

The project delivered strong improvements in household food security and nutrition. Key outcomes include: 

• One mini demonstration farm was established, including procurement of basic equipment and support from an agricultural specialist to maintain the demonstration farm. It is actively used for hands-on training.

• 20 women’s groups, involving around 100 women, received climate-resilient seed packages and participated in guided planting sessions.

• Improved vegetable and legume availability, with households now harvesting leafy greens, long-beans and other nutritious crops from their own gardens.

• 22% of households now manage home nutrition gardens (Kintal Gizi), compared with 0% at baseline.

• 80.9% of mothers demonstrated improved understanding of balanced complementary feeding, leading to more diverse meals for children under two.

• 728 households, or approximately 2,912 people, benefited from interactive nutrition and climate adaptation education materials.

• Stronger community skills in water-efficient gardening, with women applying simple techniques practised at the demonstration farm.

Although some villages experienced challenges such as limited water access or livestock damaging crops, families responded by creating micro-plots, improving fencing and prioritising hardy, drought-tolerant crops while still maintaining the variety of nutritional source. These practical adjustments have already led to more diverse diets, a more reliable household food supply, and a stronger community understanding of how climate-resilient gardens support women’s and children’s health. 

Community Involvement

Women were central to Resilient Roots. The gardening model was delivered through existing women’s groups, ensuring shared learning, mutual encouragement and local ownership. Community-Based Mobilisers (CBMs) and Posyandu Kaders (community health volunteers) played an important role in motivating participation, demonstrating planting steps, and reinforcing nutrition messages during monthly health sessions. Their involvement was especially important in villages where literacy levels are low and visual demonstration is more impactful than written guidance. Families were highly receptive to the program. Many women expressed pride in growing vegetables for the first time and enjoyed seeing their gardens contribute directly to their children’s meals. Local government partners including village leaders and health offices actively supported the program and participated in planning sessions. Religious and traditional leaders also helped reinforce key health messages through regular community gatherings, expanding the reach of nutrition education. 

What’s Next?

The establishment of home nutrition gardens has created a foundation for long-term food security. SurfAid will continue supporting families through the broader Rote Malole program, helping households maintain their gardens year-round and test additional water-efficient crops. The mini demonstration farm will remain a central learning hub for the community, in particular a new women’s group. Future focus areas include improving access to water for irrigation, strengthening livestock fencing and expanding the gardening model to households that have not yet adopted Kintal Gizi. SurfAid will also continue working with district and village governments to encourage ongoing budget support for gardening activities and nutrition-sensitive agriculture. With these partnerships in place, communities are increasingly well-positioned to sustain and grow the benefits of the project. 

Case Study 

Mama Novita’s Garden of Possibility 

For years, Mama Novita worried about how to feed her children well. The nearest market was a long walk away, and during the long dry season almost nothing would grow. Most days, vegetables were a luxury rather than a staple. 

When SurfAid began supporting nutrition gardens in her village, everything changed. With access to clean water and simple training on how to plant drought-resilient crops, she transformed the small patch of land beside her home into a thriving garden. Rows of leafy greens, long-beans and hardy vegetables now grow where bare soil once lay. 

Her garden has become a source of pride in the community. The women in her neighbourhood call it their “vegetable refrigerator” because there is always something fresh to harvest. 

“I can pick and eat vegetables straight from the garden,” she says. “There’s no need to buy them anymore. My children can eat more vegetables every day.” 

For Mama Novita, the change is more than the vegetables on the table. It is the confidence of knowing she can provide for her family, even in the toughest seasons. What began as a small garden has become freedom, dignity, and a healthier future for her children.