In 2017, Yayasan Bina Tani Sejahtera (YBTS) assisted a young farmer group in Soe district, Timor Tengah Selatan regency, NTT. “Hutan Bersaudara” young farmer group was established in 2016. Some of the member is a motorbike taxi driver. In the beginning, they started the activity by raising pigs.

Since April 2017 until now, they feel it difficult to start the land preparation and beds making to grow curly pepper (Kastilo F1 variety of Cap Panah Merah) on 7 are (700 sqm) of the demo plot in 3 (three) locations in Sabu village. Since the beginning, the leader of Soe district, Mr. Kristian Tlonaen, gives his support and motivation for the young farmer group. Beside that, the support from the senior farmer group is also very important to encourage and motivate the members to see the potency through the vegetable farming, although not all the members are motivated to start it yet.

The group leader, Cecep Bire never gives up and prioritizes some youth that have interest to start grow vegetables. One of the youth is Yulen Henuk (22 years old). Previously, he was a motorbike taxi driver. He has joined the training from YBTS and also did some comparative study to another farmer group before. After that, he decides to start grow curly pepper and bitter gourd in 7 are (700 sqm) land. We hope that the other youths can also be motivated to explore the potential they have.