On the Ground in Ujung Kulon: Credit Union
How a local cracker is helping rhinos
Mrs Kasan bends over the warm wok and spills the beans. She then proceeds to mix them with sand. Not your typical concept for a meal, but one that she has nonetheless perfected over the last few years. And the result is very much worth it, even to the unaccustomed palate.
Not your average cracker
Emping is something of a delicacy in Indonesia, and it is its production that the women of Kampung Haseum [see map] sought to finance when they approached WWF in 1997. Representing the local women's cooperative, Ibu Kasan asked for a loan to kickstart a small emping business.
What have rhinos got to do with crisps?
Realizing the importance of providing financial opportunities to people living in the Park's buffer zone, WWF provided a loan under its Credit Union scheme, along with a deadline of 10 months for repayment. Under the agreement, WWF would help by financing the tools needed, and the purchasing of seeds (approx. 15,000 Indonesian Rupiah - US$ 1.6 - per kilo). The effort paid out and the loan was returned well within that timeframe.
The emping business
Today, four people are involved in emping production, which is sold in the area.
Mrs Kasan is proud of the quality of her produce, and extols its superior quality to that of her competitors. So it isn't surprising that a growing number of people want to join the women's co-op.
When not making emping, the women from the co-op pick mlinjo (Gnetum gnemon, a seed used to make emping) from trees, or are involved with fishing and rice growing. Other activities financed by WWF's Credit Union include running warungs (small shops), or producing bandrek, a drink made of cloves, ginger and brown sugar.
Currently these operations are already turning a small profit, and with the vision of becoming a sustainable and profitable economic activity, Mrs Kasan stresses the need for more financial support.
Try this at home
Learn in four easy steps how to make emping.
Making emping:
- Heat mlinjo with sand
- ... then flatten with crusher
- dry in the sun
- Fry the crackers and..
- ... put them in a bag for sale
