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FARMERS DEVELOPMENT
YAVA takes the livelihoods of our farmers and the use of local land seriously. Our farmer development includes instructing about sustainable farming techniques, creating Village Drying Centers, and the improving cashew trees through a seeding nursery distribution program.
YAVA also works to improve the outcomes for farmers growing the crops we purchase by creating new of improved markets and by helping farmers improve the quality and quantity of crops. These improvement project develop on a case by case basis as opportunities become apparent.
YAVA purchases sugar made from Lontar tree nectar (nira) and further processes it into an ingredient. YAVA has helped nira farmers to improve personal safety while climbing trees, by providing protective equipment; quality of the sugar, by providing cooking equipment and measurement tools.
Typically cashews are purchased after drying, and drying well requires at a minimum a concrete pad to keep them clean. To help small farmers dry cashews before sale, YAVA created them for farmers in the surrounding area.
The cashew trees in the area around Desa Ban were planted over thirty years ago and the yields now are declining. New varieties offer double the yield per tree as well as larger cashews. YAVA is in the process of providing seedlings for new varieties to area farmers.