Indonesian Farmer Receives Model Farmers Awards from FAO
17 October 2017 19:24 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An Indonesian farmer Ulus Pirmawan from West Java received Asia-Pacific Model Farmers Awards from Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Pirmawan (43) is recognized for his success in innovative vegetable production systems.
The awards were also granted to four other farmers from Afghanistan, Japan, Nepal and Thailand, at the FAO-Asia Pacific World Food Day commemoration in Bangkok Thailand, on Monday, Oct. 16.
Pirmawan, with only a primary school education, is a shining example of how innovation, passion and determination can reap great rewards – even for a smallholder farmer. His success is a combination of collaboration, rich volcanic soil and a desire to share his knowledge with others.
In fact, three hectares of plantation can produce as many as 1.5 tonnes of baby bean. As a head of the local farmer’s group and its 20 members, Pirmawan works to ensure their product reaches the market at the right time, in the right quantities and at fair market value.
Before the farmer’s group was formed, Pirmawan and his neighbors had no choice but to sell their produce to middlemen or brokers and the prices they received were very low. Therefore, the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture encouraged the creation of farmer’s groups. After taking on the functions of the middlemen, their group of 20 are each earning up to US$1,150 per month, a four-fold increase from the old days.
Pirmawan also shares his knowledge with others including farmers from neighboring Timor-Leste. When asked if he ever gets tired, he says “Yes. But I will work and train others for just as long as I can. I am proud of this,” as stated in the press release received by Tempo today, Oct. 17
FAO’s annual Asia-Pacific World Food Day event honored five model farmers from across the region. The five farmers, four women and one man, came from Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal and Thailand. Each received a certificate of accomplishment from Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, on behalf of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.(*)
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