The local farmers’ training committee (Badan Penyuluhan Pertanian / BPP) was crucial in developing local farming industries. Frans Dairo Kette S.ST, mostly known as Bapak Ir, was the head of BPP in West Wewewa Subdistrict. He started as an agricultural extension officer  (Penyuluh Pertanian Lapangan / PPL) in 1990-2000. After being the head of the BPP, he led eleven  PPLs responsible for assisting the farmers of West Wewewa.

Bapak Ir’s journey as a PPL was not an easy one. He faced several challenging situations, such as the limited availability of transportation to visit the assisted villages, to the case where the local farmers could not be gathered. He even experienced a period where only two field trainers, including him, were responsible for handling twelve villages. However, the challenge did faze him. Bapak Ir believed that farming was a source of living that could motivate the locals to be independent without the government’s aid. He had a solid commitment to take part in improving the local farming industries. One of his life mottos was, “Once you’re a PPL, you’d forever be one.”

Certainly, Bapak Ir did not face his journey by himself. In developing the farmers of West Wewewa, he collaborated with several farming organizations, including Yayasan Bina Tani Sejahtera (YBTS) through the Agricultural Livelihood through Integrated Approach (PERMATA) project supported by William & Lily Foundation (WLF). Since October 2021, YBTS has assisted both the farmers and field trainers. The training given by the YBTS team offered new knowledge for the local farmers, such as the technical aspect of cultivating horticulture commodities. This program was expected to enhance the farmers’ competencies and improve the farming industries in West Wewewa.

“I hope that the synergy between YBTS and the local field officers could create a group of farmers that were smart, innovative, and capable to compete amidst the rapid technological development we see nowadays,” said Bapak Ir.