Part 3/9:

Maria Loretta’s story exemplifies this shift. After leaving her city life to settle in the dry, semi-arid island of Adonara in Indonesia’s Flores chain, she rediscovered sorghum—an ancient grain robust enough to withstand the island’s climatic challenges. Unlike rice, which struggled in the drought-prone landscape influenced by colonial trans-migration policies, sorghum flourished with less water and resistance to strong winds. Maria has dedicated years to promoting sorghum among local farmers, believing in its potential to sustain communities under changing conditions. Her efforts have rekindled interest in traditional farming methods, emphasizing resilience over modern monoculture.