For Abah Dayat, farming is more than a job; it is a passion that has consumed him since he was young. Now 70 years of age, with nine children and 13 grandchildren, he still works the land, planting trees and caring for his livestock. Through a combination of crops and seasonal construction work, he continues to provide for his large family. 

Now in his twilight years, Abah’s focus is shifting beyond seasonal harvests to a more sustainable long-term future; ensuring his descendants grow up in a world that is green, clean, and fertile. With support from Better Green and Trees4Trees, Abah is making this dream come true. 

Creating shade, shedding light on new opportunities 

Abah Dayat lives in Citaman Village, in the Nagreg District of Bandung, where he is a member of a farmers’ collective called Hutan Karya Tani Mandiri Utama. On a plot of land covering 2,800 m2, he has spent years farming cassava, corn, and tobacco. But with a lack of shade, his crops tended to suffer under the equatorial sun. 

In search of solutions, Abah joined the Trees4Trees tree-planting program in 2022 and quickly began planting seedlings. The new trees have already had a transformative effect on the landscape, providing shade, fresh air, and helping the soil to retain moisture. The fruits provided by these new trees also offer a new source of income. 

“I take care of my plants in a simple way, so they become fertile,” explains Abah. “First I clean away the grass and weeds, then I give them organic fertilizer that comes from the manure of my chickens and goats, then I water them regularly to help them grow.” With this careful and caring approach, Abah has been successful; only a small number of seedlings have failed to take root – the majority have flourished. 

Working with nature to provide for people 

This tale of fertility is a relatively new chapter, changing the narrative in a story that had long been characterized by failure. “Previously there were no trees on my land, only secondary crops,” says Abah, who believes the turning point came with his involvement in the Trees4Trees planting program. “After receiving tree planting assistance from Trees4Trees, now my land is greener because lots of fruits, timber, and other multi-purpose trees are growing.” 

Citaman Village is located in the Citarik sub-watershed, on the banks of a tributary to the Citarum River. Trees4Trees has committed to rejuvenating this area, regreening the banks of the Citarum and its tributaries in order to support ecosystem health and improve quality of life for those living off the land. 

Part of this approach includes supporting local livelihood opportunities with an emphasis on sustainable practices. One such initiative is centered around a public camping ground. Every weekend, around 100 tourists come here to enjoy the views, breathe the fresh air, and hike the nearby hills. 

Since he began planting trees around this camping ground, Abah has noticed the interconnectedness of natural health and the well-being of local people. “The trees I planted not only provide shade,” he explains, “but also improve the fertility of the land, making nature and the environment around here more sustainable.” The new trees have also made the area more attractive to visitors, offering Abah and his community additional income opportunities through ecotourism.  

Hopes for the future 

Abah Dayat is one of several farmers sponsored by Better Green. With support from Trees4Trees as program implementer, Better Green has committed to planting 30,000 trees between 2022 and 2027. To date, 12,000 have already been planted, including those on Abah’s land. 

For Abah, this partnership represents the promise of a better tomorrow. “I see these trees as an investment in the future, which I hope will be enjoyed by my children and grandchildren after I am gone,” he says, before describing replanting is a kind of social responsibility. Now, after a lifetime lived as a farmer, Abah describes himself simply as “a human being committed to preserving nature.” 

Looking back on the past two years, and planning for the future, Abah has a simple message for his supporters: “I would like to thank Better Green and Trees4Trees for the seedlings they have given to me. With their help, I believe my land will become fertile again and provide benefits to nature, my family, and my community for many years to come.”