In 2019, six provinces in Indonesia received the "Rural Empowerment and Agricultural Development Scaling Up Initiative (READSI)" program, one of which was North Kolaka Regency.

To observe the implementation of the READSI program in the region and ensure readiness for its activities, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), together with Bappenas and BPPSDMP through the National Program Management Office (NPMO) READSI, conducted a supervision visit to North Kolaka Regency on March 20, 2019.

The supervision was aimed at assessing progress and performance towards achieving the program’s goals, identifying challenges in its implementation, and supporting the management of activities to accelerate progress and enhance effectiveness.

"The READSI program funded by IFAD is a role model expected to increase community income and institutional capacity. With the On Granting funding system, it is hoped that local governments will feel ownership, so that after the READSI program ends, the local government will implement an EXIT STRATEGY to ensure the program’s sustainability," said Anwar Sunari from Bappenas.

During the event, Assistant I, Ashar, stated that North Kolaka Regency is ready to succeed in the READSI program and will involve other technical agencies to synergize in its implementation.

In 2019, North Kolaka Regency had a cocoa rejuvenation program, and to better align with this program, it was decided that 20% of the village funds would be allocated to agriculture. It is hoped that this will align with the READSI program.

"The utilization of village funds in agriculture should improve the quality of agricultural products and simultaneously raise the living standards and income of farmers," said Nicholas, a representative from IFAD.

It is important to note that the READSI program aims to empower rural households in the program areas, both individually and in groups, by enhancing skills, building self-confidence, and improving farmers' livelihoods.

The program is also expected to help build self-confidence through the utilization of resources to increase income from both the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors.

READSI is also part of the effort to strengthen farmers' institutions, which is realized through the empowerment of farmer groups, agricultural joint business groups (KUB), and farmer corporations.