This report describes a collaboration between the NGO VECO, the leading global cocoa supplier Armajaro, and West Sulawesi farmers to develop direct market linkages and build on previous development work. The report briefly outlines the cocoa industry and the local cocoa chain and identifies key partners, their roles and activities. Testimonials from stakeholders provide comment on the process, benefits and challenges of the program.
Understanding farmer engagement in the cocoa sector in Sulawesi: a rapid assessment
The establishment of new and interactive models for knowledge transfer in the cocoa industry requires an understanding of current farmer engagement. This study focused on understanding the social context of farmer engagement in Sulawesi. Results are based on interviews with a range of stakeholders and cocoa industry associated organisations over a 12 day period. The information is a high level overview as was intended given the short time frame of the field work. The report summarises previous extension approaches and the outcomes of these programs (e.g.
Flores blooming: a case study on promoting the cashew nut value chain in Indonesia
This case study details a range of interventions implemented to improve cashew nut production in Flores and contribute to the enhancing the overall cashew nut value chain. The report summarises the key constraints to the value chain, such as no direct linkages and international value adding, poor productivity due to traditional farming methods, and lack of inputs and technology. It then outlines a number of considerations and processes in implementing four interventions to address these constraints.
Strengthening the capacity of farmers' groups to enhance quality through organic certification: a case study of cashew nut producers in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
Cashew is a major source of income for most farmers on the island of Flores. This article details the experience of developing organic cashew nut production in four villages in Flores based on a joint project between VECO Indonesia and Swisscontact. The project aimed to help farmers optimize the potential for cashew nuts through organic certification while maintaining a low input system of production.
Farmer livelihoods and the production and marketing of cashew nut. A case study in four villages of Central and Eastern Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
This report presents the details of a case study exploring livelihood patterns of farmer households and linkages with the production and marketing of cashew nuts on the island of Flores. It aimed to understand and identify livelihood constraints in order to fully understand and monitor the impact of a Swisscontact/VECO-Indonesia pilot project on certification and processing of organic cashew nuts in Flores. The study used the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (developed by DFID) to analyse complex livelihood patterns in four villages in Central and Eastern Flores.