Cianjur Woman Villagers Shared Experiences with Activist from Asian Community Trust (ACT)

SPPB Kadupandak with Mari Suzuki and Bina Desa team in natural agricultural land (Photo: John Sinulingga)

CIANJUR, BINADESA.ORG – This last August was a different day from the usual for Sauyunan Perempuan Petani Binangkit (SPPB) in Kadupandak. On August 30-31st, SPPB was visited by activists from Asian Community Trust (ACT) Japan Mari Suzuki also staff members of Bina Desa Mardiah, Affan, and John S.

Not to squander this opportunity, SPPB conducted a discussion in Ranca Bungur Communion, Kadupandak, Cianjur. Everybody was so excited that all the committees from SPPB and communities from seven villages, plus a few security apparatus joined the discussion.In this opportunity, participants were enthusiastic to find out the social and agricultural condition in each village. Suzuki introduced herself as Chief Opening Officer at the ACT who has journeyed

In this opportunity, partcipants were enthusiastic to find out the social and agricultural condition in each village. Suzuki introduced herself as Chief Opening Officer at the ACT who has journeyed through Asian countries to do program monitoring. ACT itself, according to Suzuki, aims to help push sustainable social and economic development among Asians through funding for local communities.Suzuki continued the discussion with questions around activities done and the obstacles faced by each community. Those questions were answered alternately by community members. After

Suzuki continued the discussion with questions around activities done and the obstacles faced by each community. Those questions were answered alternately by community members. After lunch break, the mothers took turn to ask Suzuki about many things, especially about the condition in Japan and what she does in Japan. Despite being stormed by questions, the discussion was also filled with support from each other.

Based on our data about agriculture in Japan, in addition to having used sophisticated technology, Japan has farmers with great work ethics. Japan government also provides good policies by buying most fresh produce to be able to control the price.

In the second day, activities contued by visiting collective plantation of Cahaya Asih Community in Warga Asih village. One of the activists in Cahaya Asih Mrs. Entin explained that they just harvested both the plantation and ponds. The plantation is 1.200 m2 wide and cultivated with four different types of plants alternately. Activists from Cahaya Asih later demonstrated how to make dapros (a type of local crackers) from rice flour and also explained about the cooperation funding whose transaction has reached Rp3 millions with 16 members.

The activity ended with the cultivation of corn, snake bean, peanut, and ginger plants. The works of these communities hold fast to the principle of “Bengkung ngariung, bongok ngaroyok” which roughly translates as “working out problems together.”