When the rain would not stop, a chilli farmer from Indonesia found a way to adapt

In Suralaga, a village in East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, chilli farming is more than a livelihood—it is a legacy. For Baiq Ernawati, it has been a way of life since childhood. Raised among rows of chilli plants, she learned from her parents, who inherited the same knowledge from their elders. For generations, families like hers have relied on the land. But the land is changing.

Unpredictable weather, particularly increased rainfall, is disrupting traditional farming. The drying process—a crucial step before chillies can be sold—has become harder. Traditionally done by the roadside, chillies are exposed to dust, exhaust and sudden rain. When rains last for days, drying becomes impossible and harvests risk spoiling. Mouldy, discoloured chillies mean lost income—a blow felt hardest by women balancing farming and household responsibilities.

Market volatility deepens the burden. Prices can plummet from US$2.6 to as low as $0.60 per kilogram. After long days in the fields, only to sell at a loss, many farmers feel defeated.

But change is taking root.

With support from UN Women and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) through the EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies Programme, Baiq Ernawati is reshaping her future. A capacity-building initiative on climate resilience, sustainable farming and entrepreneurship introduced her to climate-smart tools—including solar dryers. Made of metal frames and transparent plastic sheeting, they trap heat to create a warm, enclosed space with built-in features to regulate temperature and humidity.

Unlike the roadside method, this solar-powered innovation dries chillies in a protected, hygienic space, shields crops from the elements, improves quality and reduces post-harvest loss. In Indonesia, where dried chillies are a staple in dishes like sambal, her work preserves more than crops—it protects culinary heritage.

Baiq Ernawati was one of 400 women to join the capacity-building sessions. They received hands-on instruction in using the dryers, developed with Yayasan Rumah Energy, a non-profit delivering green technologies to grassroots communities. Four prototypes were provided as community assets for shared use, giving participants firsthand experience.

The technology also sparked product diversification. Women began producing chilli powder and other dried goods, creating new income streams. “As a result of the solar dryer, I am motivated and inspired to expand my farming practices!” she said.

In a country where women run around 64 per cent of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, such innovations can drive economic resilience. They show how access to knowledge and tools unlocks entrepreneurial creativity and strengthens local economies.

The true success of the initiative lies in linking women’s climate action to targeted capacity-building. Regular sessions have covered climate resilience, business planning and financial literacy.

“This is my first time joining regular training sessions,” she shared. “I have learned so much from the trainers and had the chance to connect and collaborate more productively with the women in my community.” For many, these were their first structured learning spaces beyond home or farm.

In parallel, work is underway with financial institutions to expand access to green loans for women entrepreneurs seeking to adopt these technologies at scale. This is crucial in Indonesia, where many women, despite owning most micro- and small businesses, face barriers such as lack of collateral, limited financial literacy and exclusion from formal banking. By improving access to finance, the initiative supports women not just sustain their businesses but innovate and grow with climate-smart solutions.

For Baiq Ernawati and others, this is opening doors. It is about seeing women not only as farmers but as innovators and economic leaders.

Her story is a testament to what is possible when tradition meets innovation, and when women are given the tools, training and trust to lead. In the face of a changing climate, Baiq Ernawati is not just weathering the storm—she is leading her community toward a stronger, more resilient future.