Strengthening Horticulture Cooperatives in West Java

All Indonesia projects are managed by EWS-KT’s sister organization, Yayasan Bina Tani Sejahtera (YBTS).

 

Context and Project Objective

This project is an extension of the successful Building Strong Horticulture Cooperatives in Africa initiative (2023–2026), implemented by Agriterra in Burkina Faso and Tanzania with support from De Eik Foundation.

Building on the success of the African program, Agriterra is expanding the initiative to Indonesia, targeting four horticulture cooperatives in West Java. The project aims to strengthen the position of smallholder farmers in the horticulture value chain through the development of professional and market-oriented agricultural cooperatives.

Yayasan Bina Tani Sejahtera (YBTS) is supporting the design and rollout of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training and extension services for the farmers in the project.

By 2028, the participating cooperatives are expected to possess resilient governance and financial systems capable of supporting their growing aggregation of businesses and members’ service delivery systems.

Project Activities

The project aims to strengthen cooperative capacity and improve farmers’ livelihoods through the following activities:

• Governance and Financial Strengthening: Strengthening cooperative governance and financial systems to ensure transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability
• Technical Integration: Embedding Good Agricultural Practices training and extension services into the cooperatives’ service delivery model, with YBTS’s support
• Market Linkage: Developing business models that enable cooperatives to collectively market members’ produce and access higher-value buyers
• Sustainable Service Provision Systems: Establishing sustainable systems that improve farmers’ access to quality agricultural inputs and technical support
• Inclusivity: Establishing youth and women councils to encourage active participation and strengthen the future sustainability of the cooperatives.

Project Targets

• 8 commercial demonstration plots established for tomato and chili production
• 250 farmers trained in Good Agricultural Practices, targeting a 20% increase in yield
• 192 visitors reached through Seed Clinic activities
• 160 farmers participating in Field Day activities

YBTS Partners

Funding partner: De Eik Foundation

Implementing partner: Agriterra (lead)

Technical partner: East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation 

Local partners: Local communities and four horticulture cooperatives supported by Agriterra: one in Lembang, West Bandung Regency (Koperasi Lembang Agri, Cikadang Village) and three in Ciwidey, Bandung Regency (Koperasi Caringin Bumi Asih, in Lebak Muncang Village; Koperasi Al-Ittifaq; and Koperasi Green Pasundan Agriculture).

Project Period

April 2022 – December 2027

Location

Indonesia: Bandung Regency and West Bandung Regency, West Java

This project is supported by De Eik Foundation and implemented by Agriterra in collaboration with Yayasan Bina Tani Sejahtera (YBTS), an affiliate of East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWS-KT).