Integrated Agricultural Training Raises the Spirit of East Lombok Farmers

#LombokBangkitKembali -  The earthquake of Lombok two years ago caused the agricultural business to plummet due to a large number of damaged infrastructure and crops. Lombok people, especially farmers, are faced with the Covid-19 pandemic that is increasingly widespread. The condition raises concerns in various sectors, especially agriculture. As experienced by the farmers of Sembalun District in East Lombok Regency.

One of the farmers in the Sembalun District felt the impact of the current outbreak. Onions and garlic are the commodities that have experienced price irregularities and marketing failures. The farmers finally tried to switch to tomato, chili, and carrot plants, which do not cost a lot to grow.

Seeing the conditions and needs of farmers to get back better, Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) conducted an Integrated Agricultural Training (IAT). The training has been held for three days by presenting interviewees who are still related to agriculture. The training participants who came from 18 farmer groups and 7 SMI (small and medium industry) groups in three villages in the Sembalun District area received various materials related to agribusiness, organic agriculture, agricultural product management, financial literacy, marketing, and ASCA (Accumulating Saving and Credit Association)

 "By the results of the previous farmer capacity mapping, we conducted the training to increase farmers' knowledge better than before, so that they can later manage quality agricultural products so that marketing can improve again," explained Nehemia, WVI's staff in Lombok.

Nehemia added, not only theoretically, but the training participants also got the knowledge to make organic fertilizers and medicines independently.

Sainal, who is one of the farmers in Sajang Village, felt the impact of the training and was very enthusiastic about the activities of Wahana Visi Indonesia.

"The training is very extraordinary and helps us as farmers. WVI cares about us, and they go directly to our area to provide training. We get the agricultural knowledge and materials, so we also know enough about the current development of information in the agricultural sector, especially during the pandemic, to increase quality agricultural products so they can have high selling value outside the region. Not only from agriculture but also from plantations, especially in coffee commodities. Now I know how to manage good quality coffee and can be served to foreign and guests who come to our village," said Sainal (43), a participant.

Not only Sainal, but the other farmer groups are also enthusiastic about the training. Farmers are feeling the impact too, and now they are starting to develop fertilizer, under white, and starting to do marketing.

PPT is a synergy between WVI and UPTD Pertanian Sembalun that strongly supports the program.

"We, from UPT and farmers, are happy because we got a lot of learning assistance, especially KWT for processing agricultural products and marketing because currently, the price of goods has dropped. This is an advantage for farmers with the presence of Wahana Visi Indonesia, and even farmers are excited to return to farming. In terms of coordination between WVI and UPTD agriculture, it was good that it finally held this training activity," H. Husnul Yakin (52), Head of UPTD Sembalun District concluded. 

Written by: Siluh Puspita, Lombok Earthquake Emergency Response Staff Wahana Visi Indonesia