In order to address the financial hardships experienced by many rural farming communities in Indonesia, Kopernik has embarked on a pilot project with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab Southeast Asia (J-PAL SEA) and Evidence Action.
The project will investigate ways of encouraging farmers to seek alternative work during the ‘lean season’ - the period between harvests where household cash flow is generally limited and consumption drops.
Building from research conducted by J-PAL affiliates in northern Bangladesh between 2008 and 2011, the project will test similar project design and methods in eastern Indonesia. Findings from the research conducted in Bangladesh revealed increased incomes for farmers of up to 19% during the lean season (Econometrica, 2014), greatly impacting household and family access to basic needs including food, water and healthcare.
Kopernik’s specialization in working with last mile communities plays a key role in the planning and implementation of this pilot project. We will work with J-PAL SEA and Evidence Action providing technical assistance in the implementation of surveys and logistics. The project commenced in June 2017.
