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Mr. Puji Sunarso, a 65-year-old farmer from Hamlet 01/RT 03, Jono Oge Village, Sigi Biromaru Subdistrict, Sigi Regency, is a proud father of four: Agung Kurniawan, Ika Tami Putri Lestari, Alief Bahtiar, and Moh. Bin Alfito. With a 1-hectare vegetable farm, Mr. Puji has long been committed to agriculture. His farming journey took a positive turn when he joined the Cocoa Field School facilitated by ADRA Indonesia in October 2022.
Through the program, Mr. Puji was selected as a facilitator for the Horticulture Field School—focused on chili, long beans, tomatoes, and cauliflower. ADRA Indonesia’s support not only enhanced his farming knowledge but empowered him to support fellow farmers in his community.
Despite extreme weather conditions, Mr. Puji continues to grow vegetables with great enthusiasm. Many chili farmers in his area experienced crop failures due to heat-related issues like stunted growth and curling leaves. However, applying what he learned from the field school, Mr. Puji implemented intercropping techniques—planting long beans or bitter melon alongside chili to adapt to weather patterns.
In May 2024, he planted bird’s eye chili over 1,200 m². Using proper raised bed preparation, timely fertilization, pest and disease control, and crop management, he successfully harvested from September to December 2024. Over 23 harvest rounds, Mr. Puji collected 1,180 kilograms of chili, selling them for prices ranging from IDR 15,000 to IDR 45,000 per kg. This earned him IDR 37,320,000 in total sales.
After deducting input costs of around IDR 14,230,000 for fertilizers, pesticides, and labor, he gained a profit of approximately IDR 14,234,000—with his chili plants continuing to produce into April 2025.
Thanks to this success, Mr. Puji has been able to support his children’s education and prepare for the next planting season. Most importantly, as a facilitator trained by ADRA Indonesia, he continues to share his experience and knowledge with both group members and other farmers in his area.
“I am grateful to ADRA Indonesia for providing guidance through the Horticulture Field School. It has not only helped me improve my farm but also enabled me to assist and inspire other farmers,” says Mr. Puji.
