Monday, 8 November 2021 | 09:54
Ridho Syukra ([email protected] )

JAKARTA, investor.id – Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food (SMAF) promotes gender equality among farmers’ groups in Tajok Kayong Village, Nanga Tayap Sub-district of Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan Province.

Based on the results of a research study that the International Labour Organization (ILO) conducted on 416 national and multinational companies in Indonesia in June 2020, gender equality efforts in the work environment were found significantly beneficial to both business processes and business entities.

In terms of their educational backgrounds, achievements, milestones and capabilities, obviously women’s potentials cannot be underestimated.

When it comes to food security, the significant roles that women play is undeniable. In that regard, they play key roles in multiple processes ranging from agricultural production, food processing and preparation in the family as well as assuming the responsibility for meeting the family’s need for nutrition.

Further, women play an essential role in the financial management of farmers’ groups. A study conducted by Bappenas in collaboration with international donor agencies through the Survey on Financial Inclusion and Access found that women have an important role as the person in charge of family affairs and, it goes without saying, the management of the most important matters in a household.

As for the efforts to obtain food security at the local level, women’s participation is evident, for example, in the implementation of the alternative livelihood programmes running in 60 villages facilitated by Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food in Sumatra and Kalimantan. A quite significant portion of the farmers’ group members, as much as 40%, are women.

They do not only play an active role in identifying the implementation and evaluation of the programmes, but also drive their farmers’ groups forward while meeting the need of food in their respective villages.

Maria Mardiana is one of the key figures behind those farmers’ groups in Tajok Kayong Village and started working in the agricultural sector 4 years ago.

Along with her farmers’ group, Bu Maria Mardiana started implementing sustainable farming and abandoning the slash-and-burn practice to strengthen the community’s food security and create economic opportunities in their village.

She grows numerous crops that the community commonly consumes, such as vegetables, spices and fruits. “I wanted to study agriculture to prove that women can make the same contribution (with men),” she explained in a press statement that Investor Daily received in Jakarta, Monday (8/11).

Together with other groups, she cultivated a trial garden that had been prepared for farmers’ groups with the facilitation from SMAF. Maria also actively promotes women’s role in the field of agriculture in her village by providing training to villagers in growing vegetable gardens at home.

Source: Investor Daily