"What is the rationale for our continuous engagement with farmers and farmer groups?"
Building collaboration with farmers begins with a thorough and crucial engagement process. This initial approach is essential for ensuring they fully understand the program.
We present the details of the rehabilitation activities directly to the farmer groups. This group-based method is key to ensuring that the landowners comprehend the purpose of our meetings and the overall goals of the program.
How can we encourage farmers to take responsibility for managing the seedling grants they've chosen, while also ensuring they plant a core crop, such as teak, applying an intercropping system?
The farmers' concerns were alleviated by the existing good relationship and practices that have been in place until now. They usually raise questions because they are worried that:
- Their products or the crops they have already planted might be taken back without a mutual agreement.
- The technical support will follow the usual pattern of just handing over seedlings for crops, fruits, and teak.
- We could create a written agreement for a 20% profit-sharing arrangement.
Why a profit-sharing arrangement?
Giving them this responsibility motivates them to help developing the program. With this responsibility, they will feel a need to develop and grow together with the initiative.