From Facilitator to Initiator

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many activities were carried out at home including studying and working. One of the impacts of this recommendation is that many young people who previously went to school or college in the city, return to their villages and carry out the online process at their homes. The pandemic also positively impacts plant lovers because they have more time to take care of their plants.

This phenomenon has become a business ground for a man named Cahyo Ariwibowo (42) or known as Cahyo. Cahyo is a village facilitator for the Cocoa Life program funded by Mondelez International. He lives in Buntu Babang Village, Bajo District, Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi.

Through discussions with Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) staff who accompanied the Cocoa Life program in his village, Cahyo expressed his dream to make the youth in his village more productive during the pandemic. He invited young people to create an organic fertilizer or compost business. At first, Cahyo was hesitant, but the youths have the same interest in the compost fertilizer business after discussing this plan.

Now Cahyo and the youth have agreed to form the compost business group under the name GENAP Group. The group already has a Decree from the Agricultural Extension Agency (BPP) of Bajo District. In line with the Cocoa Life program, together with Barry Callebaut, WVI trained a youth group on how to make compost on November 17, 2020.

This youth activity received support from the Head of Buntu Babang Village, the Agricultural Extension Agency (BPP) of Bajo District, and the Environmental Service (DLH) Luwu Regency. Since then, the GENAP Group has been active in producing compost and selling it. The selling price of compost fertilizer is IDR 30,000 per sack (1 sack = 40 kg). The compost is sold to farmers and plant lovers in Buntu Babang Village and surrounding villages.

"We are grateful for Mondelez and WVI. Our minds are open and knowledge increases as long as there is assistance from the Cocoa Life program. Previously, we almost gave up because our cocoa had many diseases, there were no activities for young people, so we are very grateful that our village received assistance from the program," said Cahyo.

Through the assistance of the Cocoa Life Program, Mr. Cahyo, who is usually only busy in the garden, is now able to be active and creative with the youth to run the composting business. This activity is also a solution for productive activities that provide income for youth in their village, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Cahyo hopes that with the assistance of the Cocoa Life Program, the youth in his village can remain productive, have an entrepreneurial spirit, and learn many things about cocoa plantations. In addition, the existence of the GENAP Group can increase the income of group members and become an alternative fertilizer solution for cocoa farmers who are difficult to get fertilizers.

Written by Rahmatullah, Field Facilitator, Cocoa Life Program