Singapore-headquartered digital marketplace HeveaConnect (HC) joined forces with Dutch non-profit SNV Netherlands Development Organisation to develop the HeveaGROW digital agronomy training modules in video formats for rubber smallholders in Indonesia. The initiative aims to make agronomy training accessible to more rubber smallholders and help them improve the quantity and quality of their rubber yield.
The first pilot deployment will be SNV’s Surpass project, which aims to scale-up sustainable natural rubber practices in Musi Banyuasin District, South Sumatra. Funded by Dutch sustainable trading initiative, IDH, and Indonesian rubber processor, Kirana Megatara, the Surpass project, has setup a rubber smallholder training centre to incentivise and train 5,000 rubber smallholders using SNV’s existing Better Management Practice (BMP) rubber training materials.
These materials in flipbooks format are incorporated into Kirana’s direct-farmer engagement programme. They are used for hands-on training within a workshop setting. SNV will pilot the use of the HeveaGROW videos as training aids during the Surpass project starting with a small sample of 200 rubber smallholders. The partners will promote the use of the videos through their respective outreach programmes including integrating the videos into broader smallholder extension services programmes.