Adrianus Siga

“Cocoa plant, if properly maintained will produce high yields and give profit to farmers. Though we are just small people, with the collaboration and assistance of Sahabat Cipta, we become great and it is through cocoa production. What a blessing.”

As the Head of Wolokisa Village, I knew that cocoa is a promising commodity. Wolokisa and nearby villages had many cocoa trees, unfortunately the yield was very low. The cocoa farms were like forest; the trees were old and poorly treated. In the past, cocoa farming was considered as side business only.

Sahabat Cipta, through SCFAFM project supported by Ford Foundation, offered us opportunities to take part in the cocoa farmer field school. The training topics range from cocoa cultivation management, nurseries, financial literacy, harvest & post-harvest management to collective marketing and sustainable agriculture. Sahabat Cipta introduced to the local community that cocoa is a superior commodity, moreover it is a world food resource.

Now, the local community is actively involved in cocoa farming, and treats it as the main family business. This will drive the economy in Mauponggo sub-district further. The presence of Nagakeo CLC in Wolokisa is a great help and a great hope for us to move forward. Sahabat Cipta and its project assistance is a great blessing for us. Thank you Sahabat Cipta.”