SPSM Collective Economy: Building the Welfare and Strength of Women Farmers in Bali

Pemuteran Village has long been known as a tourist village in Bali, 40% of its population depends on the tourism sector. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2019, the tourism sector experienced a major shock that had a direct impact on the community's economy. During that difficult time, farmers in Pemuteran Village showed their strength in dealing with the crisis. They managed to help other communities affected by the pandemic, especially those who depend on the tourism sector for a living, through their agricultural and livestock products. This was a turning point in the importance of agriculture and livestock as pillars of food sovereignty, many people in Pemuteran Village began to return to farming and raising livestock.

However, after more than 30 years have passed, farmers in Pemuteran Village have not found a bright spot regarding the status of the land that they have cared for for generations. With the Suka Makmur Farmers Union (SPSM), they continue to fight for their land rights through the Priority Location for Agrarian Reform (LPRA) scheme. Although they have not achieved the expected results until now, SPSM has not given up. With the support of Direct Funding from the Nusantara Fund, they are strengthening their advocacy through collective economic development on 4 hectares of collective land in the Advanced Agrarian Reform Village (DAMARA).

The components and various activities on collective land are an effort to build a model for developing economic improvement that can later be beneficial for the lives of farmers and can be applied by farmers on their personal land. This is also proof that farmers are really working on and optimizing land use and strengthening the position of farmers in the midst of the process of fighting for land rights.

Previously, SPSM had 33 cattle, biogas production, and construction of drilled wells to support collective land use activities. SPSM then agreed to use funding to add livestock, namely Balinese breeding cattle. The procurement of 7 Balinese breeding cattle is their strategic step in accelerating the distribution of benefits to union members.

The cows are bred by a group of 10 SPSM women farmers. After one year of production, the profits will be shared according to agreement, including to support the organization's strategic work such as advocacy, education, and consolidation. Calves will also be given to other women's groups, ensuring that the benefits can be felt by all members in the community.

With a collective approach, members can meet their immediate needs and also invest profits from livestock sales in productive and strategic activities of the organization. In addition to providing direct economic benefits to them, the active participation of women farmers in these activities also strengthens their position in decision-making at the community level.

In collective management that carries joint control over fund management and decision-making, it provides a sense of ownership for all community members from the start and ensures their commitment to continue to actively participate in management. This is what will ensure the success and sustainability of the desired collective economic system. So that in the future, the benefits of this collective system, apart from being a solution to reduce the vulnerability and economic welfare of members, will also be a long-term foundation for the strength of the SPSM organization.