Obet Nego Rumbin is the leader of the Inangkwom farming group, which is located in Warkimbon Village, Biak Numfor Regency, Papua. Before he started farming, Obet and some group members worked as construction workers with low and uncertain salaries. Though the fee was enough to cover daily necessities, the money quickly ran out when the project was finished. The long hours with minimum break time also drained Obet’s physical and mental wellness.

With the training from Yayasan Bina Tani Sejahtera (YBTS) and Kopernik, Obet and seventeen other young people switched occupations to be farmers. The Inangkwom farming group was introduced to good agricultural practices to cultivate various vegetable commodities in the training process. The training covered proper seeding function, fertilization, usage of pesticides, and many more. It was such a new territory for Obet and other members of the Inangkwom farming group.

The hard work given to take care of the farmlands got paid off. Obet was proud of the harvest they obtained. They even got to invite Biak Numfor’s mayor to see their harvested goods. The citizens of Warkimbon Village also showed their enthusiasm by visiting their farmlands and actively learning about the chili cultivation they do. The experience became an achievement the group was proud of.

Not only it gives new jobs for the young generation, but farming activities also improve their economic condition. Until now, the Inangkwom farming group had successfully generated IDR 28.620.000 of revenue from selling their harvested chilis. In the future, the farmers hope to increase their productivity by improving their skills, adding new commodities, and expanding their farmlands. They are determined to fulfill the market needs in Biak Numfor. Obet also wished there would be more young people interested in being farmers to optimize the potential of farmlands around them.

“Let’s keep on fighting, the young generation of Papua. Let’s prove that we can thrive in the development of Papua,” he said.