• Climate change is severely affecting clove production in Indonesia, particularly in Ternate.
• Farmers report increased unpredictability in rainfall patterns, impacting harvesting.
• Yields have dropped significantly, affecting livelihoods and forcing many farmers to seek additional work.
• Historically a major clove producer, Indonesia has seen declines in export status due to changing agricultural conditions.
• Experts warn that coastal and island communities face heightened vulnerability due to climate impacts.

Farmers on the eastern Indonesian island of Ternate have reported that climate change represents the greatest threat to their clove crops, which were once safeguarded from colonial exploitation. Farmer Jauhar Mahmud, 61, highlighted that "today... rainfall is high. It's okay for planting, but it's uncertain for harvesting. It's often unpredictable," emphasizing the challenges that unpredictable weather poses for agricultural practices. Clove trees, which flourish in specific temperature and humidity ranges, are experiencing severe disruptions in their growth patterns due to changing climatic conditions, according to thejakartapost, indiatimes, and scmp.

The impact of climate change is stark; Indonesia's clove yields have varied significantly over the years, with the Food and Agriculture Organization reporting a yield in 2023 that was almost a quarter lower than the peak in 2010. As Jauhar put it, "we're actually losing money," as the crops depend on favorable seasonal conditions. Many farmers have now begun to explore alternative livelihoods, with Jauhar himself selling spice-infused drinks and bamboo, according to thejakartapost, indiatimes, and scmp.

As clove production declines, the fluctuations in yield have pronounced economic effects. The prices of cloves have been observed to fluctuate between $5.30 and $7.40 per kilogram, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to sustain their operations. Reports indicate that some growers are contemplating abandoning clove farming altogether due to diminishing returns, as highlighted by one farmer who noted that his yields have drastically declined from five to six sacks to just two or three, according to thejakartapost, indiatimes, and scmp.

Climate-related issues are compounded by the changing behavior of rainfall patterns, with intense storms becoming more common while overall dryness is also reported, which disrupts harvesting and drying processes. Farmers like Imba have noted that drying cloves now takes significantly longer because of increased rainfall. Research conducted by Indonesia's University of Pattimura corroborates these observations, revealing that rainfall has increased by 15% over the past decades, along with extreme weather events that pose significant risks to crop yield, according to thejakartapost, indiatimes, and scmp.

The decline in clove production affects not only farmers but also the local economy that relies heavily on this spice. As the quality and quantity of the crop are compromised, suppliers warn of significant reductions in prices and quality of cloves. For instance, a supplier noted a drop in prices from 150,000 rupiah per kilogram to 80,000 in the harvest season but observed a recent increase back to 115,000 as supply drops. This fluctuation illustrates the precariousness of the clove market, profoundly affecting farmers' livelihoods, according to thejakartapost, indiatimes, and scmp.