In order to increase farmers’ ability in planting, caring, and producing good quality horticultural crops, Bina Tani Sejahtera Foundation (YBTS) continues to provide assistance for farmers.  Assistance will be provided from the beginning of land clearing to harvesting.

YBTS collaborated with agricultural extension workers in Southwest Sumba Regency hand-in-hand to motivate and educate the selected farmer groups, based on the criteria that have been set.  One of the assisted farmer groups is the Baina Mawunga farmer group, Wewewa Tengah, which succeeded in carrying out the first harvest of chili plants.

The Project Coordinator of the Agriculture Livelihood Project, Junike Susan Medah, explained that the presence of YBTS in Agricultural Livelihood Project through Integrated Approach (PERMATA) program supported by William & Lily Foundation (WLF) intends to help and motivate farmer groups who grow horticultural crops.

YBTS will also provide assistance on the business plan, manage groups and conflicts.  That assistance is very important to be comprehended by group members to be used as preparations in facing challenges. “YBTS will assist from the outset of this farmer group started from farming until the time of they are harvesting later,” said Junike.

Junike expects support from the village government, district government and all parties in carrying out the mission to prosper the community through farmer groups.  After getting good harvests, it is desired that the farmer groups can be independent and become role models for other farmer groups. “Of course we are hoping that this assistance will have an impact on the economic fulfillment of farmer group families,” she hoped.

On the same occasion, the Subdistrict Head of Wewewa Tengah, Agustinus Bora Tanggu appreciated the good intentions of YBTS and WLF who had worked hard in assisting farmer groups in their sub-districts. Surely, it will have an impact on strengthening the capacity of group members in cultivating land to produce plants that have a high market value.

“This assistance, of course, will be beneficial for members of farmer groups,” said Agustinus.  He also wishes that the knowledge that has been obtained can be developed and practiced for growing fruit and vegetable crops.