A field visit was conducted in Sorong, Southwest Papua, as part of the program “Enhancing Smallholder Farmers’ Income and Livelihoods with Profitable Vegetable Production Practices in Papua, Indonesia,” supported by East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer (EWS-KT) and Stichting De Eik. The activity was carried out by Yayasan Bina Tani Sejahtera (YBTS) together with Stuart Morris (Executive Director, East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer) and Flip Van Koesveld (Board Advisor, East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer) to observe the program’s progress and farmers’ learning processes on the ground. 

The visit was also attended by Edwin S. Saragih (Chairman of YBTS) and Ellyda Chaterina Hutabarat (Assistant Manager of YBTS) along with the program team who have been working closely with farmers in the field. 

During the activity, the team visited several demonstration plots and Learning Farms, which serve as practical learning spaces for farmers to apply improved vegetable cultivation practices, particularly Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Moving from one field to another, the team engaged directly with farmers to understand the progress achieved as well as the challenges they still face. 

Encouraging progress has been observed. Through this program, farmers are demonstrating a stronger understanding of vegetable cultivation techniques and greater motivation to further develop their farming businesses. The learning process has also brought together indigenous Papuan farmers and transmigrant farmers, enabling them to share experiences and strengthen one another. 

One inspiring story comes from Ahmad, a transmigrant farmer who previously worked in construction with a monthly income of around IDR 3 million. After applying GAP in vegetable cultivation, his yields increased by around 80 percent, and his farm has now become a learning site for other farmers nearby. 

A similar transformation is experienced by Yoppy, an indigenous Papuan farmer who previously relied on staple crops such as banana and cassava. After diversifying into vegetables such as sweet corn, tomatoes, and curly chili, his family’s income has nearly doubled. He now actively encourages neighboring farmers to learn and grow together. 

As Yoppy’s wife simply expressed, “Now there is always smoke coming from the kitchen.” A simple statement that reflects improved food security and renewed hope for their family. 

Through collaboration, consistent mentoring, and farmers’ willingness to learn, small steps taken in the fields are gradually creating meaningful change for farming families in Papua.