“Agroforestry is a promising commodity…!” said Paiman, sipping a cup of Delima coffee in front of his hut. He had just finished clearing his field, now planted with vanilla, jengkol, coffee, durian, avocado, and cocoa beneath the shade of oil palms he once established in the wildlife corridor of Bukit Tigapuluh, Jambi. 

“People from neighbouring villages now invite me to their farms, asking to be taught,” added Paiman, an inspiring farmer from Delima Village, Pemayungan. 

Vanilla and other agroforestry commodities play a key role in providing alternative income while protecting a wildlife corridor in Bukit Tigapuluh. His journey wasn’t easy—his first vanilla seedlings failed due to pests. But with persistence and guidance from the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) Indonesia agroforestry team, he improved shading, soil care, and pest protection. Today, his vanilla grows well, producing healthy flowers and pods. 

Beyond vanilla, Paiman cultivates jengkol, durian, and coffee. Coffee, in particular, has proven safe from elephant disturbance, making it ideal for planting in the wildlife corridor.  

Thanks to diversification, Paiman’s income is now more stable and the risks associated with monoculture have been reduced. His success has inspired many of his neighbours, proving that one farmer’s perseverance can drive change.