This story is related to the landscape initiative “The Mosaik Initiative”, and originally published on SourceUp.
Ifiansyah: From Fisherman to Pioneer of Nipa Sugar in Sungai Undang
As a fisherman, Ifiansyah is forced to seek alternatives due to unpredictable seasons and declining fish stocks — nipa sugar offers him a new glimmer of hope. Born into the Dayak Pantai tribe in Sungai Undang, Seruyan District, Central Kalimantan, he grew up as the son of a fisherman. Like many in his village, his days once revolved around boats and fishing nets—waking before dawn, setting out to sea, and hoping to return with enough catch. But as the tides became more unreliable, so did the livelihood he had always known.
“Life as a fisherman has become more uncertain, especially because we rely heavily on the seasons. There were times when I couldn’t work at all,” Ifiansyah recalled.
At just 30 years old, he carried a burden more significant than most—being the sixth of seven siblings and the primary breadwinner for his family. The struggle to secure a stable income led him to seek an alternative livelihood. That search led him to a local resource that had always been there, yet often overlooked—the nipa palm, a plant with untapped economic potential.
“I used to think that nipa palm was only useful for making house roofs. I never knew that its sap could be turned into sugar,” Ifiansyah shared.
His curiosity soon turned into determination. In November 2023, he took a leap of faith, learning how to tap sap from the nipa tree and process it into granulated and molded sugar. At first, he worked alone, manually collecting sap and refining the sugar without the help of machinery. It was an arduous process, requiring precision and patience, but Ifiansyah saw its potential.
Not long after, his passion began to inspire others. A group of local youth, seeing his determination, joined him. Together, they formed a small team of eight, working to master the craft of nipa sugar production.
Challenges and Perseverance
Each day starts before sunrise. At 5 AM, Ifiansyah and his team board a small boat, navigating through the river to reach their production site. The sap must be processed immediately; any delay could result in fermentation, rendering it unusable.
“We have to be quick because if we take too long, the sap will spoil and can no longer be processed,” he explained.
The journey is not without hardship. The terrain is unforgiving—muddy paths, tangled roots, and tidal shifts that make access difficult. But Ifiansyah and his team press on. “We walk, jump over roots, and cross rivers every day. But all of this is part of our struggle,” he said with a smile.
Despite the challenges, they remain committed. On average, they spend three hours refining 20 liters of sap into granulated sugar—completing everything using traditional methods.
On his best production days, Ifiansyah has collected up to 70 liters of sap in a single day. This amount yields approximately 8 kilograms of sugar, which he sells for IDR 15,000 per kilogram. With a potential daily income of IDR 120,000, nipa sugar production offers a far more stable livelihood than fishing, where earnings are highly unpredictable and dependent on seasonal conditions.
Building a Legacy and a Better Future
While still in its early stages, Ifiansyah envisions a future where nipa sugar becomes the pride of Sungai Undang. He sees it as more than just a business; he sees it as a movement that can create sustainable livelihoods for the villagers.
“I want to give the young people here a chance. They can join us and learn how to manage this nipa sugar. If this business grows, we can create a new, more stable source of income,” he said with hope.
His ultimate goal is establishing Sungai Undang as a key producer of premium nipa sugar, recognized for its quality and contribution to local livelihoods.
“We are not just thinking about personal profit. I want everyone here to benefit. We want to build a better future for our village,” he affirmed.
Ifiansyah’s journey is part of a broader initiative under the Gawi Bapakat program, launched by the Seruyan District Government to support sustainable livelihoods across the district. In Sungai Undang, Gawi Bapakat empowers local communities—especially fishermen like Ifiansyah—to transform the underutilized 200 hectares of nipa palm forest into a source of stable income through sugar production. This intervention not only helps reduce economic vulnerability caused by seasonal fishing but also contributes to forest conservation and ecosystem protection. Through this effort, the production of nipa sugar is becoming more than just a livelihood—it’s a pathway toward resilience and long-term sustainability for the village.
Through sheer determination, Ifiansyah has proven that the once-overlooked nipa palm can now symbolize hope and economic resilience. He stands as a testament to the power of innovation and perseverance, showing that transformation is possible even in the most unexpected places.