The benefits of joint marketing for East Flores farmers

"Previously, parents brought their children to the salt dike to work. Now it doesn't happen anymore. Parents care for their children's future through education," said Yosef, 55, talking about the differences of his village's situation in the past and present.

This old man doesn't have his own garden but farms in Ile Gerong village in East Flores. Yosef lives in a modest house with his youngest son, Efen Jawang, 19. His wife passed away several years ago and his other children moved to bigger cities to work.

Yosef and other farmers in Ile Gerong established the Farmer Group Association (Gapoktan) Ile Gerong. Through this group, farmers sell their crops through joint marketing.

Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI), a partner of World Vision, brought joint marketing to the area in 2001. The purpose of joint marketing is to prevent middlemen from driving down the price of the farmer's commodity. Besides selling crops, the members also loan money within the group.

Gapoktan Ile Gerong holds a regular meeting every month to evaluate any activity that has been conducted. The joint marketing process has brought many benefits for its members. With higher prices, the farmers earn more money that is used to pay for their children school tuition.

Currently there are no more middlemen in Ile Gerong who dare to buy tamarind, cashew, candlenut, cocoa, and coconut at a lower price. Farmer's earn enough to pay for their daily needs and school tuition for their children.

"The buyers have bought our crops with high prices so we can afford our children school tuition," Yosef said proudly.

*Written by Rena Tanjung, Field Communications Officer, World Vision Indonesia