Kanaan Farmer Group is Now Sertified

“Kanaan” Farmer Group’s Meeting Hut. The signboard reads: “Kanaan Farmer Group. Manusak Village. East Kupang District. Assisted by Institut Leimena.”

“Kanaan” Farmer Group was founded in 2009 with the assistance from the Institut Leimena. Then, on February 17th, 2011, this farmer group was finally certified by the government with the issuance of the letter of decree from the local government.

While the certification process for the other farmer group in Oeteta village started with a hearing by the village authority (see our IL Update: Government Recognition of “Mardika Imanuel” Farmer Group, Oeteta Village, December 14th, 2010), here in Manusak village the process is different. Our field staff, Santhy Chamdra, had to be more active in the process. As a start, she got the certificate sample from the village head office, then went to the regency office to consult with the legal office. After the review by the legal office, the certificate (letter of decree) was signed by the Village Head.

Then, on February 24th, 2011, Santhy went to the East Kupang District office (i.e. the authority below Regency) to meet with the Agricultural Extension officers and give them the copy of the “Kanaan” farmer group’s certificate. They were very grateful with this new farmer group. They asked Santhy to make an arrangement so that they can meet the “Kanaan” farmers. We surely hope that this partnership will grow for the benefit of the farmers in Manusak village.

In the end, we should all continue to help other farmer groups to benefit from what the government have provided through their programs.