The role of women in the agricultural sector is far more than just supportive; they are the primary drivers of household nutrition and economic stability. Through various mentoring programs, Yayasan Bina Tani Sejahtera (YBTS) has proven that providing space for women to grow in agriculture has a direct impact on more sustainable family welfare.  

The following are the key highlights of YBTS’s women’s empowerment initiatives throughout 2025: 

Widespread Participation 

In 2025, a total of 7,466 women (46% of total participants) actively participated in rious field mentoring activities. The highest participation was recorded in the Farmer Training for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), involving 3,745 individuals. This reflects a high enthusiasm among female farmers to enhance their technical capacity and knowledge.

Home Garden Optimization  

One of the primary strategies is the development of home gardens as a source of food security and additional income.

• Food Independence: Approximately 50% of the harvest is consumed by the family, while the remainder is sold.

• Leading Commodities: Eggplant emerged as the top-performing crop in terms of yield and income, followed by tomato and sweet corn.

• Sustainability: The program has evolved from small group-based garden units to regular 500 m² demonstration plots, reflecting stronger coordination and more independent management. 

Integrating Livelihood and Nutrition  

The YBTS program does not only focus on cultivation techniques but also on how to process those harvests. 

• Nutritional Guidance: YBTS published the material “Variety of Vegetable Dishes” (Ragam Kuliner Sayur Mayur) to assist mothers in preparing healthy and balanced menus from their own garden harvests.

• Creativity Competitions: Harvest product creativity competitions held in regions such as Sorong, Biak, Merauke, and Jayapura have encouraged value-added product innovation and opened new income opportunities.  

Empowering female farmers means building a strong foundation for family nutrition and the community economy. With the right knowledge and access to technology, women can transform into productive, independent, and resilient farmers ready to face future challenges.  

Curious about other inspiring stories and how women farmers are changing the future? Read the full YBTS 2025 Annual Report at: YBTS 2025 Annual Report.