Bapak (Mr.) Dasman, a farmer of 15 years in Kalentambo, Subang, is one such individual who received a seasonal loan from BPN. He told us, “We once spent our savings to buy rice seedlings and fertilizers at the beginning of the planting season, but then a pest spoiled the entire harvest just like that, and left us with nothing.” Having no remaining family savings, Bapak (Bpk.) Dasman applied and received a conventional loan, but the monthly installments only increased his financial burdens.

 

Then, Bpk. Dasman started to borrow money through a farmers lending program from BPN. This seasonal loan recognized and accommodated his repayment ability, as it was scheduled on the basis of completed harvesting times. In the beginning, Bpk. Dasman and his wife farmed just 2 hectares, this has now expanded to 7¹/₂ hectares of rice fields and a tractor, and to employing 7 full time workers. The seasonal loan allowed him to break free from poverty for good.

 

Bpk. Saim is another farmer living in Kalen Sari in Subang. He also applied for a seasonal loan for his 2 hectare rice field. His perseverance paid off, he is now an active depositor in BPN and diligently saves any excess from his harvests. After years of overcoming many challenges, he has now diversified his livelihood and also co-owns a phone stall selling cellular phones and airtime vouchers with his daughter, who worked as a housemaid (TKW) in Taiwan previously.

 

In order to fulfill Bank Andara’s mission to alleviate poverty, the Bank is committed to ensuring that at least 40% of its MFI clients are “pro-poor”, that is, serving low-income people according to standards set by the Bank in consultation with leading development organizations. Bank Andara believes that partnering with these MFI clients will increase financial access on a massive scale for low-income people and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises throughout Indonesia, and ultimately help to drive economic growth and reduce poverty.