In Indonesia, being a farmer is frowned upon, even though more than 61% of the population lives of agriculture! The trade of farmer is difficult and often generates little income. Plots are small and there are few famers who benefit from technical aids. Higher agricultural education is often cut off from realtiy and young people who are educated this way often do not want to return to their villages. More and more young people leave the country side, expecting to find a better situation in town. The reality is often very different.

To support the social and family network in the countryside, the bishop of Manado asked Fidesco in 1999 to participate in a project to process fruit. In 2007, a new direction was given: to open a “farm school” in the village of Lotta. The objectives are to help farmers and their families to secure and improve their income, and to promote remaining in the rural social and family structure.

Fidesco has a threefold role:

1) Coordinate the production of plants and animals in the center with both an economic and a teaching purpose.

2) Recruit motivated young farmers in the villages and invite them to attend a one month training in the center in Lotta.

3) Provide technical supervision of these young farmers when they are back in their village.

The team is composed of 2 volunteers and an Indonesian engineer, hired by Fidesco.