The Farmers Market in Indonesia’s Karawang district, West Java province, helps farmers open channels for direct sales, and contributes to advancing rural economic development.

Bogor, W Java (Indonesia Window) – The Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in Indonesia, which is part of the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), held a Farmers Market in Indonesia’s Karawang district, West Java province, on July 30, 2024.

A press release from the Taipei Economic and Trade Office (TETO) in Indonesia, Saturday, stated that the Farmers Market has attracted the wider community in Karawang.

The Head of TETO Representative Office in Indonesia, John Chen, in his opening speech for the 'Farmers Market' stated that the Taiwan Technical Mission has a long history in Indonesia, namely for 48 years, and its activities are spread across several areas including the main islands of Bali, Java, Sulawesi, and Sumatra.

The Taiwan Technical Mission in Karawang has been present since 2019 by implementing a vegetable and fruit marketing project and has successfully expanded sales to a number of high-end supermarkets in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta.

The Taiwan Technical Mission in the agricultural sector jointly encourages farmers to develop direct sales channels to improve the rural economy and provides a platform for interaction between farmers and consumers.

The main focus is on the planning and management of vegetable planting centers, farmer training, and market development. The program has increased farmers' income by more than 70 percent through regular training in planting and marketing activities.

In the future, the Taiwan Technical Mission plans to promote high-quality vegetables and introduce modern agricultural knowledge and skills.

Activities carried out in cooperation with the Indonesian government to achieve food self-sufficiency and support the nutritious lunch program to ensure food security and agricultural welfare in Indonesia.

By providing sales channels, agricultural knowledge training, and market needs analysis, the Taiwan Technical Mission helps farmers in Karawang increase their income and improve their living conditions.

In the future, the Taiwan Technical Mission in Indonesia will continue to work with regional administrations to create more sales channels for local farmers and encourage rapid rural economic development.

The opening of the Farmers Market in Karawang was attended by a number of important officials, including the Director of the Taiwan Technical Cooperation Department at ICDF, Yen Minghong, and the Representative of the Head of the Foreign Cooperation Bureau of the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, Haripan Puja Wilapa.

Also present at the opening ceremony were the Head of the Karawang district’s Agriculture and Food Resileince Office, Rohman, Director of the Indonesian Agricultural Engineering Polytechnic, Dr. Muharfiza, Indonesian Junior Ambassador for Agricultural Affairs Rifki Habibi and leaders of a number of other agencies and schools.

At the event, there were 35 booths displaying various products, including agricultural produces, street foods, as well as desserts and snacks made by the women's organizations.

On that occasion, agricultural schools also introduced okra coffee, a result of cooperation with the Taiwan Technical Mission, which received positive responses from visitors. On the other hand, the Taiwan Technical Mission's small vegetable shop also interested many consumers.

Not only does the Farmers Market in Karawang help farmers open direct sales channels, but also contribute to advancing rural economic development.

Reporting by Indonesia Window