Strengthening Farmers Leadership in the Coconut Sugar Sector in Indonesia!
To tackle challenges and strengthen the organizational and business capacities, Fairtrade NAPP and Fairtrade America has developed a collaborative project for capacity building of farmers with an Indonesia based Non Governmental Organization, Perhimpunan Setara. The second leadership training, held from 7th to 9th October 2022 that involved 24 participants from five cooperatives. The training centered on three key areas: cooperative governance and management, business/trade partnerships, and advocacy and education for cooperative members.
The training focused on business partnerships, with cooperatives identifying partnership needs and conditions. They explored potential lines of business, such as selling coconut sugar with added flavors, producing food products, and even venturing into businesses like cow husbandry and eco-tourism. Critical thinking and education were emphasized to foster members' awareness and problem-solving skills. Different pedagogical perspectives were explored, highlighting the importance of critical education in the cooperative context. The final day of the training covered advocacy, where participants learned to build teams, analyze issues, form alliances, and take action. Each cooperative created action plans for post-training implementation. These plans addressed various aspects, including business processes, bargaining power, and critical education. For example, one small producer organization managed to create an action plan focusing on board consolidation and member strengthening. Participants shared the positive outcomes of the program, including clearer governance regulations, improved self-confidence, enhanced communication skills, and the development of farmers' groups. Challenges included declining sales, financial difficulties, communication issues, falling coconut sugar prices due to global supply chain problems, and the need for cohesive organization within farmers' groups were also discussed. The cooperative leaders acknowledged the need for critical awareness, aiming to address issues within their organization. The second leadership training was a successful endeavor, equipping participants with valuable skills and strategies for cooperative improvement.