INDONESIA – Turning cassava into opportunity through collective action

In the vast green landscapes of Kotabumi, North Lampung, Indonesia, cassava stretches as far as the eye can see, rooted not only in the soil but in the livelihoods of thousands of farming families. This district contributes nearly 17% of the raw cassava supply for flour production across Lampung Province, positioning its farmers at the heart of a vital agricultural industry.

Yet behind this abundance lies a paradox. National demand for cassava far exceeds supply. In 2022, only 15.5 million tons of cassava were produced against a demand of 39.8 million tons. For farmers in North Lampung, this gap presents a powerful opportunity, one that requires organization, access to markets, and fair pricing.

This is where the Koperasi Wamti Karya Mandiri (WKM) stepped in. Established in 2012, the cooperative had long struggled to become fully active. But through renewed efforts and support, it began organizing cassava farmers and strengthening collective marketing systems across remote villages. With backing from the APFP-FO4A program, WKM set out to capture even a small share—just 0.2%—of the cassava supply market in North Lampung, creating a pathway for farmers to access better and more stable markets.

In 2024, this vision gained momentum when WKM received USD 18,750 in funding from APFP-FO4A to support its cassava collective marketing initiative. The investment enabled the cooperative to expand its reach, connect farmers more effectively to buyers, and build stronger systems for aggregation and distribution.

The Asia-Pacific Farmers’ Program (APFP) – Farmers’ Organizations for Asia (FO4A) is implemented by the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and La Via Campesina (LVC), with funding from the European Union (EU) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The program aims to strengthen the capacities of farmers’ organizations to provide economic services, advocate for enabling policies, and promote sustainable livelihoods for small-scale family farmers across Asia.

However, the journey has not been without challenges. Farmers faced a sharp increase in price deductions, from 17–20% to as high as 45–50%. This drastically reduced farmgate prices, making cassava production economically unviable. In response, farmers organized and raised their voices, advocating for fairer pricing and policy reforms at the district, provincial, and national levels.

Their efforts coincided with broader shifts in government policy, including the introduction of a minimum cassava purchasing price and a cap on refraction levels. While these changes aimed to protect farmers, they also led some processing industries to halt operations, creating new uncertainties in the market.

Faced with these disruptions, WKM and its members began exploring alternative solutions. Building on their skills and resources, they started developing value-added products such as modified cassava flour (mocaf), opening new opportunities beyond raw cassava sales. Looking ahead, the cooperative envisions expanding into diversified cassava-based enterprises, strengthening the entire value chain—from production to processing and marketing.