May 15, 2023 — Microfinance Innovation Center for Resources and Alternatives (MICRA) and Koperasi Simpan Pinjam Mitra Dhuafa (KOMIDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to mark the commencement of the Rolling out Market Research Agriculture Loan Product project. The MoU signing, represented by MICRA’s Executive Director, Alfi Syahrin, and KOMIDA’s Managing Director, Slamet Riyadi, S.E, M.M, solidifying the collaboration between the two organizations.
The Rolling out Market Research of KOMIDA’s Agri-Loan Product project aims to provide smallholder farmers (SH farmers) with accessible and flexible agricultural financing products, alongside (non-)financial services, to address their capital requirements for production and the purchase of essential supplies.
The initial phase of the project will involve an in-depth market research study to understand the needs and preferences of farmers, exploring available de-risking services, analyzing diverse market solutions, and reviewing the existing regulatory framework. Additionally, a thorough assessment of KOMIDA's in-house Risk Fund will be conducted to optimize client benefits while mitigating exposure for KOMIDA.
MICRA, a foundation that is focused on the development of the microfinance sector in Indonesia with expertise in serving marginalized communities, brings extensive experience in the financial inclusion sector to this collaboration. By partnering with KOMIDA, a leading cooperative known for its commitment to empowering smallholder farmers, the two organizations aim to combine their strengths to address the pressing challenges faced by agricultural communities.
"We are excited to embark on this journey with KOMIDA, sharing our collective vision of enabling financial access and opportunities for underserved farmers.” said Mr. Alfi Syahrin, Executive Director of MICRA about the partnership. “By leveraging our combined knowledge and resources, we can revolutionize agricultural financing and empower smallholder farmers to achieve sustainable livelihoods."
The partnership between MICRA and KOMIDA holds great promise for the future of agricultural financing, aiming to create impact and transform the lives of smallholder farmers. By combining their expertise, the organizations will work tirelessly towards building a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector.
KOMIDA is a savings and loan cooperative that helps low-income women through financial assistance in the form of savings and collateral-free loans, non-financial services, motivating education for members’ children, family financial management, and quality services to members. Established in 2004 as a Foundation, KOMIDA started providing microcredit in 2005 to the tsunami-affected population in Banda Aceh province. It transformed into a cooperative in 2008 in order to increase its outreach to more low-income and financially excluded women.
Writer: Kamille Rose Gadon