(ERTR) Livelihoods Programme - UNDP

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ERTR Aceh-Nias Livelihoods | 24-month Report
ERTR Aceh-Nias Livelihoods | 24-month Report
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Achievements
Since the project completion, all assisted pond
farmers/breeders started their breeding
activities. Recent data shows that more than
50 percent of the breeders have gathered their
first harvest. The others should also soon be
harvesting, as one breeding cycle process
usually requires four months.
Impacts / Effects
Most breeders have harvested their ponds and
sold their products at market price. The harvest
was partly exported to Medan, Lhokseumawe
and other parts of Aceh. UNDP assistance significantly increased breeders' income. For example,
one recent report stated that milkfish breeders earned an average income of IDR 3.1 million, and
shrimp farmers earned IDR 8.2 million per harvest.
Grouper breeders also received increased income from this project. Nearly 90 percent of
fingerlings distributed were successfully sold at the market price of IDR 3,000/fingerling. Per
harvest, beneficiaries received between IDR 1,350,000 for beginners and IDR 2,700,000 for
professional farmers.
4 . S M A L L E N T E R P R I S E S
The Government's Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Master Plan reports that the tsunami
significantly damaged trade and cooperatives. The Central Statistics Bureau (BPS) administered
the Survei Terintegrasi (SUSI) and published the BAPPENAS report about small-scale
unregistered firms. The survey estimates 187,996 small-scale or unregistered businesses
existed in Aceh in 2002, each employing an average of 1.76 people. It is estimated that 80,000
of these enterprises may have been lost, generating job losses of around 140,000 people.
To implement the livelihoods recovery project in tsunami-affected areas, UNDP ERTR Aceh is working
with several international and national organizations; government agencies (Department of
Industry and Trade), civil societies (with technical support from DFID), International Relief &
Development, Project Concern International, Islamic Relief, PT. Mitra Lingkungan Duta
Consultants, Mercy Corps, and ACDI/VOCA.
Through December 2006, UNDP ERTR Livelihoods component assisted 6,627 small businesses.
These have been re-established with several methodologies, such as assets replacing, training,
providing working capital, developing community groups of businesses, providing microfinance
and developing cooperatives. The involvement of the Department of Industry and Trade
(DISPERINDAG) in Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar and Singkil has been very helpful, especially in
increasing programme sustainability and building local government capacity.
Project Activities and Achievements
UNDP and its implementing partners delivered the following activities to help restart the small
enterprise and trade sector. The results achieved are as follows:
1. International Relief and Development (IRD)
This implementing partner was active in five sub districts: Meuraxa and Kutaraja in
Banda Aceh Municipality; Baitussalam and Leupung in Aceh Besar; and Johan Pahlawan
in Aceh Barat. These five sub districts were in the area most damaged by the 2004
tsunami. Through this activity, UNDP assisted 2,598 small businesses. Grants of
US$150 to US$250 and were rewarded to beneficiaries through small business
management training. This was conducted in an IRD training centre for three days.
Through monitoring and evaluation and business feasibility analysis by UNDP and IRD,
successful businesses were rewarded with additional working capital.
Pond farmers receive distributed nets and frys [left]; while in Alue Kuta, Jangka sub district, the farmers had their first harvest on November 8, 2006 [right].
Lessons Learned
Positive project results were experienced because local communities, government departments
and stakeholders were all fully involved from the initial assessments onwards. Also, transparent
identification of beneficiaries and distribution of assistance contributed to the positive project
results. All inputs to beneficiaries need to be discussed with them thoroughly to avoid
unnecessary assistance. Close collaboration with related local government departments (Dinas
Perikanan dan Kelautan) is valuable for capacity building and programme sustainability.
Recommendations
Comprehensive and integrated aquaculture programmes should be put in place. One complete
training package should be delivered to pond farmers for post-harvest processing. While Aceh
contributes significantly to Indonesia's aquaculture industry, the province has no experts,
experience or infrastructure for post-harvest processing activities. In the future, further training must
be provided for farmers, and the private sector must be involved for better production and marketing.
Abdul Jamil, is a resident of Merduati, Kutaraja sub district. The tsunami took away his family
and belongings, but it did not destroy his hope. He registered with the UNDP programme and
joined the small business management training with his brother. He managed to restart the small
business he owned before the tsunami, selling petroleum by the roadside in a small kiosk. He
became successful, and expanded his kiosk into a larger grocery store. Abdul's outgoing nature
has attracted a lot of regular customers, including other kiosk-owners buying goods for their
kiosks located in several areas outside Banda Aceh. Abdul has received an additional grant for
his successful business management.