Synborneo: What Do We Do?

What Is Our Goal?
We aim to optimally use donations and membership contributions to develop a more sustainable landscape in Borneo. We intend to support farmers who want to practice syntropic agriculture, rather than solely using funds for rainforest reforestation.

Our Thoughts Before the System Change
In 2022, we were tasked with reforesting ten hectares and managing them for the next five years. Managing tree seedlings after planting is crucial for their survival. Due to delays, we explored alternative landscape restoration methods, leading to the idea of syntropic agroforestry. This approach doesn't mean we will stop planting trees; rather, we hope to make reforestation financially sustainable and reliable through collaboration with syntropic agriculture.

 Our Sustainable Financing Strategy
We acquire and plant land with profitable species (cash crops) and use the profits to fund reforestation. We pledge not to clear forest areas for agriculture. If the land is already used for agriculture (e.g., palm oil), existing plants will continue to be used, but the land will be gradually converted into a syntropic agro-system. We believe this financing mechanism can create a system that reliably funds reforestation and benefits future generations of farmers.

Challenges Faced
The idea was created, but implementation was challenging. Land acquisition was difficult as it is reserved for indigenous populations and external investors. Therefore, we sought farmers willing to switch from traditional to syntropic agriculture. While we did not doubt the success of this relatively young and scientifically unexplored agricultural method—having seen its success on Ernst Götsch's farm in Brazil—farmers needed proof of concept. Thus, in February 2023, we began transforming the HAK farm into a syntropic system in collaboration with Ernst Götsch. Despite many mistakes, we learned a lot, and now, a little over a year later, we see the first fruits (both literally and figuratively).

How Do We Convince Malaysian Farmers to Participate?
We are still working on the proof of concept, with profitability as a central point. Is the effort-to-yield ratio favorable? We hope to answer this with a clear YES in one to two years. Otherwise, we do not believe we can convince Malaysian farmers to adopt our cultivation method. We also want to investigate how palm oil can be integrated into a syntropic system because, whether we like it or not, palm oil is the most productive and commonly grown agricultural oil plant. If palm oil can be grown in similar quality and quantity as in conventional monocultures, syntropic agriculture would provide a more sustainable method for palm oil cultivation. Lastly, we want to show that despite high initial costs, money can be saved in the long term, as expensive chemical products like fertilizers or pesticides are no longer necessary. We aim to prove this through a long-term study on soil nutrients.

Our Measures and How SynBorneo Supports
SynBorneo assists farmers with high initial costs and technical questions. Initially,

SynBorneo provides the following:
- Field preparation consultation
- Cash crop selection
- Planting plan in consultation with the farmer/owner
- Seedlings of cash crops and supporting plant material
- Organic material for humus formation (at the beginning)
- Provision of machines for mulch production
- Advice, training, and support

How Is the Farmer Doing and Where Do Reforestation Efforts Come Into Play?
The farmer will carry out the work themselves in consultation, but we support the farmers with our services to lower the entry barrier in case of limited financial resources. We also advise farmers on technical implementation. Financially, the farmers owe us nothing (e.g., farmers do not have to give a fixed part of their income to SynBorneo), but in return, we expect contract compliance, commitment, and integrity, as well as handling the sale of cash crops through SynBorneo or our representatives. And here we are back to the beginning: since high-yielding cash crops are grown on syntropic farms, we expect a financial surplus, which we can reinvest in reforesting the rainforest. Syntropic agriculture has additional benefits for farmers as the system is very flexible. If a farmer wants to grow beans, they can do so. They can sell or use them outside the NGO's influence. The system thrives on surplus, benefiting the farmer and their family through additional sales or secure food. In summary, farmers benefit by avoiding debt (as we guarantee to purchase the produced goods), and the environment benefits as this initiative can restore two ecosystems (the forest and agricultural areas) in the long term.

How Can You Support Us?
We are at the beginning of this journey but are very confident that if everything goes as planned, it will greatly benefit our world. We are aware that a young project always involves some risk. Nevertheless, we need support to successfully and sustainably carry out landscape repairs and overcome many prejudices and fears.

Are you in?

NOTE: We are currently in the midst of a transition. We are forming a foundation in Switzerland and an NGO in Malaysia. During this process, we will utilize the infrastructure of Brothers Cycling. Ultimately, Brothers Cycling will be integrated into the SynBorneo Foundation in Switzerland.