Mudegagi Indigenous Women: Collective Vegetable Gardens and Creative Economy Entrepreneurship Training

The Mudegagi Indigenous Community is located at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level. The majority of its people depend on the results of long-lived plantations such as coffee, cloves, candlenuts, and cocoa, which can only be harvested one to three times a year. This harvest pattern makes sources of income very limited.

Other challenges are also faced by Mudegagi Indigenous Women. Knowledge and skills in business management are still very minimal, thus inhibiting the development of economic potential optimally. Business management is still carried out simply, both in terms of production, transactions, and management. 

Limited access to education for indigenous women is generally caused by economic factors, remote geographical location, and strong patriarchal culture. Women are often considered merely “complements” in the family, so education is less prioritized. Limited access to education for women will more or less affect the low level of literacy and skills in managing economic resources. In fact, increasing access to education for indigenous women can contribute greatly to the welfare of families and communities as a whole.

With the support of Nusantara Fund Direct Funding and mentoring from Women AMAN PHKom Mudegagi, the Mudegagi Indigenous Community held a Creative Economy Entrepreneurship Training and built a collective vegetable garden. The 1,5 hectare land is now managed together by 29 people, 25 of whom are Indigenous Women.  

Various types of vegetables such as white mustard greens, flower mustard greens, and sweet corn are planted and cared for. The harvest is carried out every month with an average income of IDR 4.000.000 per harvest. Some of the proceeds from the sale are distributed directly to the indigenous women who manage the gardens, while the rest is set aside for further development of the collective garden. In the future, these profits are also planned to be managed in the form of a savings and loan cooperative to strengthen the community's economy.

Creative Economy Entrepreneurship Training held by Women AMAN PHKom Mudegagi was also attended by indigenous women from various communities, including Rendu, Ndora, Nuabosi, Sanggajata, Tanaboole, and Wologai. It is hoped that after this training, Indigenous Women can develop businesses based on agricultural and plantation products in their respective communities. So that indigenous women can contribute more in managing businesses and maintaining the sustainability of indigenous people's culture. So that indigenous women can contribute more in managing businesses and maintaining the sustainability of indigenous people's culture.