Local supply chain actor roles in farmer organisation information networks: Empirical findings from two Indonesian farmer organisations

Many farmers in developing countries lack the knowledge to solve farming challenges, so improving their access to information is believed to address this issue. Prior research has primarily focused on analysing social networks but has overlooked the role of supply chain networks, which farmers depend on for production, marketing, and financial matters. This study aims at understanding the role of supply chain actors in the information networks of farmer organisations in developing countries. Multiple case studies were conducted in two farmer organisations in Indonesia, one small and the other large. This study included both quantitative data gathered through surveys and qualitative information obtained from FGD. This study found that the majority of farmer organisation members rely on their peers within social networks to acquire agricultural production-related information. Within supply chain networks, farmers depend on local traders for market and financial information, despite the asymmetric information in their relationships. In addition, local production input shops are the primary sources for agricultural production-related information. Agricultural extension agents mainly contribute to disseminating information regarding government programmes. This study also indicates that a small farmer organisation has a closer relationship with its farmer members in terms of information sharing. Meanwhile, a large farmer organisation provides its members with a wider range of information from external sources while still maintaining the closed relationships between members through sub-organisations. The findings suggest that the government should focus on enhancing the knowledge of local supply chain actors in order to efficiently disseminate information to farmers.