GROWING TOGETHER IN PARTNERSHIP: THE CASE OF UNILEVER AND THE BLACK SOYBEAN FARMERS IN INDONESIA

“Growing Together in Partnership: the case of Unilever and the Black Soybean in Indonesia” (it will henceforth be referred to as :“BSB”) described  Unilever Indonesia’s initiative as an example of how a company helped fight poverty by forging a mutually beneficial business partnership between the core business activity (producing and marketing its brand) and poor smallholder farmers growing black soybeans as its suppliers, with the help of a University contributing its expertise.
The partnership had grown to a three-way synergy between Unilever Indonesia, Gajah Mada University and cooperatives of farmers, with each party contributing its special resources. The university provided agricultural knowledge and expertise, the farmers had the land and Unilever Indonesia provides capital and guaranteed market for the crops. The case examined the challenges and opportunities of such a partnership in the context of income generation for the poor and expanding the supply chain for ULI, which also addressed environment issues and women empowerment in the process.
Issues which can be brought up from the BSB case for class discussion would evolve around the step-by-step strategy developed by ULI for the Partnership and the challenges, related to the “Growing Inclusive Market” and CSR concepts.