December 23, 2011
New Project Won: Indonesia – AMARTA II
ACDI/VOCA has won the $20 million, five-year Agribusiness Productivity (AMARTA II) program.
Funded by USAID, the program will improve the competitiveness of the horticulture, coffee and cocoa sectors in Indonesia. Throughout the program, the ACDI/VOCA team will use gender-inclusive and natural resource management-sensitive practices.
Fighting Poverty in Indonesia
According to the CIA World Factbook, much progress has been made in Indonesia in fighting poverty over the last decade. However, the global recession and increasing inflation—particularly higher and more volatile food prices—have created significant challenges.
Millions who have graduated out of poverty are in danger of slipping back below the poverty line unless new sustainable economic opportunities are created.
Value Chain Approach for Long-term Impact
Through AMARTA II, the ACDI/VOCA team will:
- implement a value chain approach to facilitate private sector-driven interventions
- link upgrading of firms to longer-term financing so they can respond to market opportunities by innovating and increasing value-added opportunities
- identify critical agricultural policy and regulatory steps that will enable upgrading in the targeted value chains
Development Program will Impact 120,000 Beneficiaries
The program will disburse $2 million in small grants as a smart-subsidy pool to mitigate the risk to AMARTA II beneficiaries of adopting new technologies and practices.
By the project’s end, AMARTA II will assist approximately 120,000 beneficiaries through interventions in increasing competitiveness. Activities will focus on firms’ efficiency, product quality and integration into high-value domestic and regional markets.
