Mekar News

Main Menu

  • Blog
    • Economy
    • Financial
    • Financial Technology
    • Testimony
  • Press Release
  • Start Funding
  • Bahasa Indonesia

logo

  • Blog
    • Economy
    • Financial
    • Financial Technology
    • Testimony
  • Press Release
  • Start Funding
  • Bahasa Indonesia
Economy
Home›Economy›Indonesian Farmers to Benefit from Mekar’s Socially Responsible Investment Services

Indonesian Farmers to Benefit from Mekar’s Socially Responsible Investment Services

By Mekar
12 July 2017
301
0
Share:

Investments can take many forms and seasoned investors are always on the lookout for the ones that fit their financial goals, risk appetite and time horizons. But in recent years, one particular question has been raised in conversations about finding the right investment alternatives: how can investments become something more, something meaningful that brings impact to communities and the environment?

This is what Mekar is trying to answer. Mekar (PT Sampoerna Wirausaha) is one of only two fintech companies in Indonesia that put Indonesian micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) at the center of their business model. Mekar’s peer-to-peer lending platform lets investors invest in loans for small business, but not just any small business. In Mekar, loans are only awarded for businesses that have positive social and environmental impact.

Read also : Finding Hope in Economic Growth Through Fintech

In keeping with that commitment, Mekar is signing an important agreement with Koperasi Mitra Dhuafa (Komida), PT Asuransi Central Asia (ACA), PT Syngenta Indonesia and several other parties to provide micro loans to hundreds of rice farmers in two regencies in West Java.

The signing of the MoU takes place on July 12, 2017, coinciding with the Cooperative Day, at the HARKOPNAS Expo, which is held in the city of Makassar in South Sulawesi. Under the MoU, Mekar will give funding to Komida and the latter will distribute the funding to at least 500 rice farmers in Purwakarta and Majalengka regencies in West Java.

The farmers can use the money to buy tools or other farming needs as well as a weather insurance policy, which will be issued by ACA. Syngenta Indonesia will distribute high quality seeds and pesticides and provide training to farmers to be able to implement its signature yield-boosting “Start Right” program. Farmers will also receive training in financial literacy.

Be a socially conscious investor. CLICK HERE to invest in businesses that make positive social and environmental impact.

The agreement is a pilot project; similar programs will be available in other regions if this one proves to be a success.

“Imagine connecting a farmer in Sulawesi with financing provided by a person who is now having lunch in Pacific Place, Jakarta. The two have never met. But Komida knows the farmer, ACA and Syngenta reduce the risk, and Mekar connects the financier via its technology. Together we have connected a new pipeline across Indonesia!” says Mekar CEO Thierry Sanders.

Sugeng Priyono from Komida says he believes this agreement will improve the welfare of the farmers in the program. The cooperative has been financing farmers in West and Central Java for the past two years and finds that farmers are facing serious problems from natural disasters leading to crop failures to the dominance of middlemen in the produce market.

“Komida hopes this agreement will provide solution to the problems faced by farmers, not only this program will encourage them to implement good farming practices, it will also help farmers maintain a stable price for their produce,” he adds.

This agreement is an implementation of the “Aksi Pangan” program, which was initiated by the Financial Services Authority (OJK) in March this year. The program aims to accelerate and improve access to funding in the food sector.

For investors in Mekar, this agreement is proof that their money goes to those who truly make a positive environmental and social impact. Mekar offers an investment alternative that aligns closely with our investors’ values without sacrificing returns — our investors earn an average of 10% annualized return. Learn more about socially responsible investing at Mekar.id.

TagsIndonesia SMEIndonesia SME Business OwnerMekar
0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Indonesia SME
    EconomyTak Berkategori

    Dilemma For Indonesian Smes: Short Of The Fund, Excluded From The Market

    31 January 2017
    By Mekar
  • Bank Indonesia Rule On SMEs Loans
    Economy

    Can Indonesian Banks Meet The 20% SME Lending Requirement? A Closer Look at BI’s Rule On SME Loans

    6 July 2017
    By Mekar
  • Indonesia Fintech Revolution
    Financial Technology

    Fintech in Indonesia: 2017 in Review and the Outlook for 2018

    18 December 2017
    By Mekar
  • Peresmian Kerja Sama Mekar & Komida
    Press Release

    Mekar Signed an Agreement with Komida, 100s of Women Businesses to be Funded

    21 February 2017
    By Mekar
  • SME Women
    Economy

    Financing Women is Wiser than Financing Men

    8 March 2017
    By Mekar
  • Indonesia Fintech Fair 2018
    Financial Technology

    Fintech Fair 2018: Mekar Spreads the Word About P2P Lending Investment That Creates Meaningful Impact

    20 July 2018
    By Mekar

Covering the latest development in fintech, financial services and the rising trend towards safe, profitable and impactful P2P lending opportunities in Indonesia.

  • Bahasa Indonesia
  • English

Mekar News Latest Posts

  • Here’s How You Can Support Women’s Economic Rights 8 March 2020
  • 2019: A Year of Achievements, Growth, and Impact 7 January 2020
  • Investing in Indonesia: 10 Benefits and Challenges, with a Spotlight on Impact Investing 28 October 2019
  • MEKAR named among Top 10 Crowdfunding Platforms in Indonesia 22 October 2019
  • Mekar Gets ISO 27001 Certification 7 October 2019

Get the Mekar News Weekly Update

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright @ 2018. PT Mekar Investama Sampoerna. All Rights Reserved