Keynote speaker Dr Maesti Mardiharini from BRIN
Dr Maesti Mardiharini, the Associate Expert Researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency
Women make up 24 per cent of all farmers in Indonesia and fill the entire agricultural value chain
[Press release]
Agribusinesses, policymakers and farmers met in Jakarta on 7 March to celebrate International Women's Day and share ideas on how to empower women in agriculture.
The keynote speaker at the event, Dr Maesti Mardiharini, the Associate Expert Researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), said women play a crucial role in agriculture:
"Women make up 24 per cent of all farmers in Indonesia and fill the entire agricultural value chain starting from seeding, planting, harvesting, to post-harvest activities."
Yet, there are opportunities to increase women’s productivity.
"Women farmers do not have equal access to men to productivity-enhancing products, services and technologies. If they did, they could increase their skills, and agricultural output would certainly also increase.
Increasing production also opens prospects for adding value to products and achieving wider market penetration, which presents an opportunity for the private sector to increase their investment in agricultural activities,” said Dr Mardiharini.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (2011), equal access could increase farm yields by 20-30 per cent, increasing national agriculture production by 2.5-4.0 per cent.
Targeting women requires businesses to analyse their customer base and to understand the role women play in decision-making and how best to reach them. This may require new ways of working.
Mohasin Kabir, Team Leader of PRISMA
Agribusinesses and farmers share their experience
A panel of agribusinesses and farmers
Our latest impact survey found that 58% of women were better off financially as a result of better access to products and services.
PRISMA CEO Mohasin Kabir explains:
“In our experience, over the last 10 years working with agribusinesses, businesses that have done well in targeting women have had to adapt – the “business as usual” approach, where men are the default target audience for sales, marketing and outreach activities, no longer works.
We have helped our business partners uncover commercial opportunities for investing in women and change their approach. This can be done by holding farmer meetings at times and locations that suit women, encouraging women to participate at events and holding all-women meetings.
Our latest impact survey found that 58% of women were better off financially as a result of better access to products and services.”
Hannah Derwent from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta responding to questions from media
Ibu Lasmi from Central Java
“PNM supported us with the capital and the financing. We started with IDR2 million (AUD200) and have increased to IDR7 million (AUD700),” said Mrs Lasmi.
Agriculture is seasonal and we needed a loan, which we can now get
Farmers like Ibu Lasmi, a vegetable farmer from Kopeng village in Central Java. Ibu Lasmi’s women farmers group, “Kelompok Wanita Tani Mekaar Abadi”, received a loan from a finance company, PNM through a special loan product and outreach targeting women, Mekaar.
“PNM supported us with the capital and the financing. We started with IDR2 million (AUD200) and have increased to IDR7 million (AUD700),” said Mrs Lasmi.
The group has invested the funds into organic farming, a higher-value crop. “Agriculture is seasonal and we needed a loan, which we can now get,” she adds.
Jarot Indarto, Director of Food and Agriculture at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, agreed that empowering women farmers was good news for Indonesian agriculture:
"Strengthening the role of women farmers will encourage increased agricultural productivity and help us to achieve the goal of the Indonesia Emas 2045 (Advance Indonesia)."
Mr Indarto hopes that agribusiness can play a more significant role in supporting the economy of women farmers.
"The seminar provides practical tips and insights to business groups on how to collaborate with more women farmers, which in turn is a good business opportunity," he said.
Ibu Lasmi travelled from Kopeng Village in Central Java for the event
Involving a network of agribusinesses
Animal feed company, PT Sreeya and pig breeding farm, Aroma Farm representatives
The seminar provides practical tips and insights to business groups on how to collaborate with more women farmers, which in turn is a good business opportunity
Hannah Derwent, Acting Minister Counsellor for Governance and Human Development from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, shared her support for the event:
"We are happy to be directly involved in efforts to empower women in agriculture. When we invest in women, we not only see agricultural productivity increase but also a lift in women’s skills, experience, and confidence that elevates their position in their communities, benefiting everyone."
Prelia Moenandar, PISAgro Women Empowerment Working Group Leader and also as Head of Government & Industry Affairs, ASEAN at Corteva Agriscience, believes that empowering women in agriculture is not merely about fairness but a strategic imperative for business growth and environmental sustainability.
“At Corteva, and within the PISAgro community, we firmly believe in the power of empowering women in agriculture. Our participation in initiatives like the Women Empowerment Working Group underscores this commitment. We believe that empowering women in agriculture is not just a matter of fairness or equality; it's a strategic imperative for business growth and environmental sustainability.”
“The inclusion of women in all aspects of agricultural development opens up untapped opportunities for businesses. It fosters innovation, improves productivity, and leads to more sustainable practices. By investing in women, we are investing in the future of agriculture.”
Sophie Roden from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta and PRISMA representatives
Senior leaders joined the event
Stay strong, persevere, and be patient.
Ibu Sisilia, a Mars’ cocoa farmer from Manado shared her view:
“Women need access to education and training to acquire the necessary skills to become financially independent and improve the quality of their own lives and that of their families.”
Reflecting on her journey, Ibu Sisilia emphasized the importance of resilience and perseverance.
"Stay strong, perservere, and be patient. Every step in developing the cocoa farm and nursery requires perseverance and endurance. Remember that every challenge is an opportunity to grow and learn. Additionally, be a role model that provides positive encouragement for other women farmers to keep moving forward and thriving."
The seminar titled “Empowering women in the agriculture sector – opportunities for business” was held at the Aryaduta Hotel Jakarta and was organised by PRISMA (Australian-Indonesia Partnership for Promoting Rural Incomes through Support for Markets in Agriculture) in collaboration with PISAgro (a business partnership for sustainable agriculture in Indonesia). It brought together a network of businesses, farmers, civil society organisations, financial institutions and academics.
The seminar showcased a panel discussion with local, national, and multinational business representatives.
Panellists included representatives from indigenous-owned food company from Papua, Anggimart; financing company PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM); food companies PT Mars Symbioscience and PT IDFood; and health and agriculture company PT Bayer Indonesia. The panellists shared practical strategies for businesses to adapt their sales and marketing approaches, ensuring greater accessibility of their products to women farmers.
Palladium Co-CEOs Bernadette Howlett and Ricardo Michel joined the event.
Participants at the event received guidance tailored to businesses on developing sales, marketing, and outreach strategies, as well as research from PRISMA’s work promoting women sales agents. Read more about the Tips for Business in English here and Bahasa here
International Women's Day Event
