In Jakarta:
IFC media contact:
Novita Wund
Phone: (+62) 8118400438

E-mail: NWund@ifc.org

In Jakarta:
AusAID media contact:
Sonya Neufeld
Phone: (021) 25505609
E-mail: sonya.neufeld@ausaid.gov.au

In Makasar:
SADI media contact
Luna Vidya
Phone: (+62) 8114131413
E-mail: lunavidya@sadi.or.id


Lombok, Indonesia, October 13, 2009—IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Australian and Indonesian Governments conducted a Farmers’ Field Day at the peanut research compound in West Nusa Tenggara  today, showing peanut farmers how to increase their productivity and incomes.  

IFC client GarudaFood provided a demonstration of improved farming technology and good practices for peanut production to around 150 peanut farmers, traders, government officials, and bankers who attended the event.  

“Right now, Indonesia is a net importer of peanuts, but it has huge potential to grow its production,” said Ernest E. Bethe III, IFC Indonesia Program Manager for Agribusiness Linkages. “We believe that by improving farming practices and strengthening procurement supply chains, West Nusa Tenggara peanut farmers will be able to raise their production to meet the growing national demand, thus boosting their incomes.”

GarudaFood is training farmers in seed management and the use of simple farming equipment and tools.  The Farmers’ Field Day also offered farmers open discussions with experts, peanut buyers, government officials, and other industry stakeholders.

The event is part of the Australia Indonesia Partnership’s Smallholder Agribusiness Development Initiative (SADI) to improve the livelihoods of small farmers in rural areas. SADI Program Director Jacqueline L. Pomeroy said: “Our experience working with IFC and GarudaFood has shown that we can develop small farmers through training by big companies.”  

Australia and Indonesia work together to help reduce poverty and improve rural livelihoods. IFC has made agribusiness a priority by providing financial and advisory support either directly to companies or indirectly through intermediaries such as agro-processors, traders, and financial institutions. IFC’s Agribusiness Linkages Program in Indonesia is funded through the Australia Indonesia Partnership.

About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, creates opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. We foster sustainable economic growth in developing countries by supporting private sector development, mobilizing private capital, and providing advisory and risk mitigation services to businesses and governments. Our new investments totaled $14.5 billion in fiscal 2009, helping channel capital into developing countries during the financial crisis. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

About the Australia Indonesia Partnership
Through the Australia Indonesia Partnership, the two countries are committed to working together to reduce poverty and promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity. This includes improving the livelihoods of smallholders and others in rural areas. Development assistance in is provided by the Australian Agency for International Development in partnership with Indonesia’s National Planning Agency). For more information, visit www.ausaid.gov.au.