Dryland agriculture faces multiple challenges, particularly extreme environmental conditions and institutional constraints, which increase the vulnerability of farming households. Despite the availability of agricultural land, sustainable solutions are required to improve land productivity and farmer welfare. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of compound cropping innovation in enhancing Farmers’ Terms of Trade (FTT) in calcareous drylands. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating qualitative and quantitative techniques through surveys, field observations, and participatory farmer empowerment using a demonstration plot. The study introduced a compound polyculture system combining maize (Zea mays) and jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) as a low-input agroforestry innovation. The results indicate that major constraints in the Kendeng Mountains include pest attacks (particularly rats), drought-induced soil degradation, limited capital, and restricted access to agricultural inputs and markets. The introduction of the maize–jack bean system improved land productivity and increased FTT from 69.24 to 74.13. These findings demonstrate that jack bean-based compound cropping is agronomically suitable and economically beneficial in dryland conditions. The model also contributes to sustainable agriculture by improving soil fertility, reducing production risk, and enhancing farmer resilience. Therefore, this innovation has strong potential for wider adoption in the Kendeng region and similar dryland ecosystems.

Kaempferia galanga L. is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine. However, data on its anatomical and powder microscopic characteristics in Vietnam remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the macromorphological, anatomical, and powder microscopic features of K. galanga collected from Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam, and to establish preliminary diagnostic characteristics for botanical authentication and quality control. Twenty fresh plant specimens were collected from spatially separated sampling points and subjected to macromorphological, anatomical, and powder microscopic examinations. The results showed that K. galanga is a low-growing herbaceous plant with a characteristic aromatic odor in all examined plant parts. The rhizomes were globose or formed chains of connected globose segments and measured approximately 1.5–2.0 cm in diameter. The leaf sheaths were 3–5 cm long, and the leaf blades were oval to broadly ovate, measuring 15–20 × 10–15 cm. The inflorescences bore 15–20 flowers, each approximately 6 cm long and predominantly white, with a characteristic purple-striped labellum. Anatomically, the leaves exhibited an isobilateral, amphistomatic structure, with vascular bundles distributed within the mesophyll and well-developed aerenchyma. The rhizomes possessed a cork layer comprising 6–15 cell layers, whereas the roots had a cork layer comprising 3–10 cell layers. The rhizomes contained abundant starch granules and oil-containing cells, while oil-containing cells were also observed in the roots. Both underground organs displayed characteristic vascular-tissue arrangements of the family Zingiberaceae. Powder microscopy of the leaves and rhizomes revealed potentially useful diagnostic features, including epidermal fragments bearing stomata (approximately 30 × 50 µm), starch granules (20–30 µm), prismatic calcium oxalate crystals (approximately 20 × 30 µm), spiral vessels, fibers, and cork fragments. These findings provide baseline pharmacognostic information for the authentication and quality assessment of K. galanga from northern Vietnam. Once validated, the proposed diagnostic characteristics may support the identification and traceability of authentic planting materials, quality assurance, germplasm conservation, and sustainable medicinal plant production, including production systems incorporating organic principles. Further validation using samples from broader geographical populations and complementary molecular or phytochemical approaches is required.