The formation of the Women Farmers’ Commodity-Based Network marks not only a milestone in strengthening the local economy but also a powerful testament that women farmers can stand at the forefront of sustainable agriculture. Through collaboration, innovation, and systemic support, this network is expected to become an inspirational model of empowerment for other regions across Indonesia.
A Historic Milestone for Women Farmers
In a significant step toward advancing women’s leadership in agriculture, Kayong Utara Regency has officially established the Women Farmers’ Commodity-Based Network. The initiative, held from April 28 to May 1, 2025, in Seponti Subdistrict, brought together more than 30 women farmers from various local groups under the facilitation of the Gemawan Institute.
The network aims to strengthen the capacity and strategic position of women farmers in the local agricultural sector while optimizing six key commodities: coconut, areca nut, horticulture, rice, coffee, and banana.
The members consist of women’s farmer groups actively engaged in cultivation, processing, and marketing of agricultural products. Each commodity is represented by specialized groups—such as those developing coconut derivative products (like coconut oil and palm sugar) or coffee farmer groups focused on quality-based marketing strategies.
“This network serves as a platform for collaboration—where women farmers can exchange knowledge, share innovation in agricultural techniques, and expand market access,”
said Maulisa, Head of the Creative Economy Division at Gemawan.
“Through this network, women farmers can enhance their bargaining power in agricultural policy and build collective enterprises through farmer cooperatives.”
From Training to Transformation
The four-day program went beyond network formation. Participants received training on SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) to identify challenges in developing their commodities. They also democratically elected a leadership structure and attended sessions on organizational management using the Business Canvas Model—covering partner planning, distribution strategies, and customer segmentation.
One participant, Waliyah, expressed her enthusiasm:
“I’ve learned new innovations, exchanged information, and gained access to markets for our processed products,”
she said.
She also voiced hope for the creation of a digital platform to promote the network’s featured products and enhance visibility for local women-led businesses.
Building a Provincial Network
Beyond Kayong Utara, the vision is much larger. Maulisa emphasized that this initiative is a foundation for a broader provincial network of women farmers across West Kalimantan.
“We are building from the grassroots. Once the regency-level networks are solid, we’ll move toward a provincial structure that integrates and amplifies local efforts,”
she explained.
For Waliyah and many others, this movement is also a call to action.
“Women farmers have enormous potential. West Kalimantan can be the first province to show that women’s leadership in agriculture drives sustainable food security,”
she said with conviction.
From Commodities to Communities
The creation of the Women Farmers’ Commodity-Based Network stands as a living example of how collective action can transform livelihoods. By connecting economic empowerment with sustainability, the women of Kayong Utara are proving that development is strongest when it grows from the ground up—rooted in collaboration, innovation, and resilience.
With continued systemic support, this network is poised to inspire similar initiatives across Indonesia—where women farmers lead not only in cultivating crops, but also in cultivating change.
Writer: Welli Arma, Gemawan Activist
Editor: Ersa Dwiyana