Alumnus testimonial
Subkhi - Associate Cocoa Programme, Rainforest Alliance
With his studies finished Mochammad Subkhi has found work with the Rainforest Alliance and has to work with the Indonesian government, companies and farmers to help them become more sustainable and earn the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal you can see on products in stores around the world.
The MDR program gave me a complete package of tools to analyse the current agriculture development trends through extensive concepts and theories as well as designing and implementing development programmes such as the theory of change, facilitation skills, and basic monitoring & evaluation skills.
Where has your studies taken you since you graduated?
“In 2016, I graduated from the MSc Development and Rural Innovation. For the last two and a half years, I have been working for The Rainforest Alliance. The Rainforest Alliance is an international non-profit organization working at the intersection of businesses, agriculture, and forests to make responsible businesses the new normal, and is committed to a world where people and nature thrive in harmony. Rainforest Alliance is known due to its voluntary sustainable certification, and is easily recognisable by its green frog label. Our green frog certification seal indicates that a farm, forest, or tourism enterprise has been audited to meet the standards that require environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Thousands of products bearing the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal are found on shelves, in advertisements, and websites around the world.”
How would you describe your current job?
“I work as an Associate in the Cocoa Program, Indonesia. In this position, I work with various stakeholders, such as the government, companies, and farmers to promote sustainable agriculture in cocoa farming and encourage inclusivity in a value-added supply chain. I design and implement programs and interventions to improve smallholder participation in the value-added supply chain by using Rainforest Alliance’s sustainable agriculture certification and principles. I am based in the city of Makassar in Sulawesi Island, where most of the Indonesian cocoa comes from. “
How did your master’s prepare you for this career?
“I think that the training and education that I received from MDR are very useful to support my career. The MDR program gave me a complete package of tools to analyse the current agriculture development trends through extensive concepts and theories as well as designing and implementing development programmes such as the theory of change, facilitation skills, and basic monitoring & evaluation skills. Another notable benefit of this program is the extensive network of alumni. I met with MDR alumni who work for various organizations in the positions of government officials, academia and NGO activists. It helped me a lot in my work and my personal development, since it can work as both a knowledge pool and a talent pool, so we can help each other to reach collective success in our careers and personal fulfilments!”