Cocoa
Cocoa is the main source of revenue for farmers in Ende
and it is commonly supplemented with other crops. In this
area we collaborate with Sikap cooperative. In the district
of Sikka, on the other hand, we work with Romeo cocoa
farmers' cooperative. Sikka used to have a strong cocoa
sector, but during the last decade production has halved
due to pests and ageing plantations. There are 33,278
small-scale producers whose main commodity is copra
(coconuts), whereas cocoa is a secondary crop. These
producers are not yet organised in a farmers’ organisation.
Most of the farmers receive subsidised rice from the
government to fulfil their nutrition needs. There is a need
for generators because even houses which are connected
to electricity lines receive an irregular supply.