Climate-Resilient Sword Beans Gain Traction Among Aceh Farmers

Farmers in Indonesia's Aceh province are increasingly turning their attention to "Koro Pedang" (sword beans, scientific name: Canavalia ensiformis), recognizing its potential as a productive and climate-resilient crop. Once considered a wild weed, this legume is now gaining traction as a viable alternative to soybeans. Its appeal lies in its ability to grow with relatively less effort and its resilience against the impacts of climate change. Farmers across various regions of Aceh, including Aceh Besar, South Aceh, and Simeulue Island, are actively cultivating this plant. Ruhani, a farmer from Lamteuba village, began intercropping sword beans in his one-hectare farm in April 2026. A quarter of his land is dedicated to 2,500 sword bean plants, with other crops like turmeric, galangal, pineapple, chili, and peanuts planted in between. "Whatever is available, we plant here. While waiting for the sword beans to harvest, we can also harvest other things," Ruhani stated. He noted that the plant can yield harvests multiple times a month. By the fifth month of cultivation, he achieved an initial harvest of approximately 30 kilograms, followed by another 80 kilograms, with continuous yields expected. Previously, a variety with black seeds (locally known as 'reuteuk kacang parang') was known. The currently cultivated variety, however, has white seeds. Sword beans can also be processed into "u-neulheu," a traditional Acehnese culinary spice made from roasted grated coconut, ground into a fine, oily paste. In the past, few people knew how to prepare these beans as a vegetable, and their economic value was not widely recognized, limiting their use to a small portion of the community for u-neulheu. As concerns over climate change's impact on agriculture grow, the climate tolerance and productivity of sword beans offer new hope for Aceh's agricultural sector. Source: Mongabay Indonesia