When my father, Dr. Simon Groot, and Piet Mazereeuw decided to set up the Yayasan Bina Tani Sejahtera (YBTS), they saw that Indonesia’s smallholder farmers did not only need quality seeds, but they also require more knowledge on farming techniques. They did not realize such a solid organization would be reaching out to so many farmers across Indonesia.

And I can say and precise, Simon is immensely proud of YBTS. With a solid support with PT. East West Seed Indonesia (EWINDO) and close collaboration with East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer, YBTS is managing to bring better livelihood to the farmers and affordable nutritional vegetables to their communities.

East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer community valued the contribution of YBTS immensely; and that’s the hard work of YBTS team I witnessed myself during the field trips.

YBTS work is so distinctive because a solid work with EWINDO’s secured and high-quality seeds will always be available for farmers who trained by us.

The great Mahatma Gandhi once said, “to forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil, is to forget ourselves.” We, at YBTS, ensure everyday again that people remember how to work the lands, growth crops, and feed the loved ones.

I want to congratulate all YBTS team of all achievements.

During these 15 years, many huge impacts for many-many growers in Indonesia, which is very rewardful and very important work. It’s a part of our mission: breeding to feed the world.

Of course, we can supply the genetics with all the potential in the seeds, but what make it work is also to create and realize this potential in the field with agronomical practices.

YBTS is doing a great job in helping the growers, to really capture the values we put in through Research & Development.

I would like to congratulate YBTS team for the great work and huge impact you make for many-many growers in Indonesia.

Yayasan Bina Tani Sejahtera (YBTS) was founded through the initiative of Simon Groot and Piet Mazereeuw to help more farmers in Indonesia, even transforming those who are new to agriculture into farmers. With high-quality seeds, they achieve better yields and greater profits, positively impacting their lives.

PT. East West Seed Indonesia (EWINDO) will continue to support YBTS activities with the company’s funds and expertise accumulated over the past 34 years. This ensures that YBTS will continue to assist farmers in Indonesia.

Yayasan Bina Tani Sejahtera (YBTS) was founded by Simon Groot and Piet Mazereeuw with the aim of bringing quality seed technology to farmers in Indonesia. This enables farmers to achieve high yields and income, enhancing the well-being of their families.

The founders of YBTS recognized the need for a new strategy to reach farmers in remote areas across the archipelago. These farmers require technical support and practical information to apply in their farming endeavors.

Currently, YBTS has a significant program from the Ganesha Foundation in Switzerland, called Let’s Grow, which focuses on mentoring 1,000 young people in NTT and NTB. Additionally, the Board of Directors of EWINDO strongly supports YBTS in its activities, allowing more farmers to prosper through vegetable cultivation and the guidance provided by YBTS staff.

YBTS journey is a long-term relay and marathon. We are here for good; we are here to always support the assisted farmers.

Yayasan Bina Tani Sejahtera (YBTS) has been making an impact for 15 years. Fifteen years is not a short time; it is a phase where we begin to take off and go to the next level. Throughout this time, YBTS has demonstrated improved quality in every project, and I am confident that we are on the right track.

YBTS’s success in gaining support from PT. East West Seed Indonesia (EWINDO) and securing projects is clear indicators of the high-quality work and trust from Board of Directors and donors. This achievement is due to thorough preparation and high professionalism, not mere luck.

With continuous growth and professionalism, I am confident that the team at YBTS will become even more motivated and happy in their mission to assist farmers in Indonesia. At EWINDO, we value “happy and grateful employees,” and I hope this value is also felt by the entire team at YBTS.

Let us continue this spirit, and with that, I invite YBTS to go to the next level!

A total of 7,283 farmers benefited from our accompaniment activities. Among other things, farmers can obtain one or a combination of the following benefits:

• Attend and participate in training & extension service for farmer groups
• Acquire knowledge and skills in horticultural vegetable farming practices;
• Get access to the use of high-quality seeds
• Successfully increase yield or
  vegetable production
• Earn farm income from vegetable cultivation

The ultimate goal of the foundation’s activities is that farmers earn a good and sustainable income from vegetable cultivation, and their families become more prosperous.

Through intensive demplot and mentoring activities,

•  152 key farmers in Papua and Maluku grow various types of vegetable crops (top 5: tomatoes, shallots, cayenne pepper, sweet corn, curly chili). The average profit per growing season is Rp 6,600,000 (US$ 440).
• Support from PT. East West Seed Indonesia (EWINDO) in this program is very large and meaningful for farming families.
• 191 young farmers in Flores, NTT, earn an average profit of US$4.6 per day; This figure certainly exceeds the line figure of US$2 per day. This certainly motivates other youths to make vegetable cultivation a staple occupation in the village. In this project, TBTS partners and is supported by the Ganesha Foundation, Switzerland.
• 48 farmer groups (508 people) in Southwest Sumba have succeeded in diversifying their farming through the cultivation of vegetable crops. The increase in revenue in the farmers group’s demplot was very significant, reaching US$303 to 687 per season. After this group demplot completed, each group member then conducts vegetable farming on their respective fields. YBTS partnered with the
  William & Lily Foundation on this livelihood improvement program.
• 45 vegetable plots in the yard were carried out by mothers on Anambas island, as a source of nutritious vegetable food for the family. MedcoEnergi provides support in
  this activity.

We always put farmers, inclusive of women and young people, at the centre of our services and  mentoring. Serving farmers through various knowledge transfer activities and technical assistance aimed at enabling farmers to implement sustainable good practices in their on-farm farms; And will succeed in getting good production, and of course profitable farm income.

This is what YBTS focuses on and is committed to. Moreover, we encourage and assist young people to enter agricultural farming as a source of their income and livelihood. There are many success stories, for more information please visit: www.binatani.or.id and facebook YBTS..

We also spread this success story through YBTS social media channels and the staff also actively shared success stories and technical messages. Amazingly, the results are the reach of social media channels, inspiring other farmers through access to this information. A total of 173 posts on the Binatani channel and 265 posts on the staff channels have succeeded in getting 637 thousand and 438 thousand engagements, respectively. While the reach of the audience itself gained 4.1 million. In our opinion, the positive influence of sharing information and knowledge of farming practices through social media channels is very beneficial.

Finally, YBTS Management and all staff would like to express their special gratitude to Mr. Glenn Pardede as Managing Director of PT East West Seed Indonesia for his support; to the new Board of Trustees of the Foundation Mr. Rutger Groot and Mr. Jaap Mazereeuw at the direction and approval of YBTS’ program and budget.

Thank you and our warm regards,