The requirements and benefits for farmers interested in joining SynBorneo NGO

The requirements:

1. Interest or Involvement in Syntropic Farming: 
Prospective members should have a genuine interest in syntropic farming practices or be actively involved in implementing or promoting these methods. Additionally, members should demonstrate a commitment to hard and independent work, as syntropic farming often requires dedication, resilience, and self-reliance to effectively implement sustainable agricultural practices.

2. Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture: 
Members should demonstrate a commitment and/or interest to sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship, which are core values of syntropic farming.

3. Knowledge or Experience: 
Members should have a certain level of knowledge or experience in syntropic farming techniques, or should show willingness to obtain the required knowledge and learn syntropic required farming techniques. This could be assessed through education, training, or practical experience.

4. Alignment with NGO's Mission and Values: 
Members should align with the mission, vision, and values of the NGO. This involves following syntropic farming practices, sharing the organization's goals of promoting ecological balance, food security, community resilience, etc.

5. Financial Contribution: 
Members are required to contribute the membership fees. 
6. Ethical and Legal Compliance: 
Members are expected to abide by ethical guidelines and legal requirements set forth by SynBorneo. This includes commitments to fair labor practices, environmental regulations, and other standards.

7. Active Participation: 
SynBorneo encourages members to actively participate in their activities, such as attending meetings, volunteering for projects, contributing expertise, reading and sharing newsletters, etc. Furthermore, farmers should actively engage in on-site activities related to syntropic farming, including land preparation, planting, maintenance, and monitoring of their agricultural plots. This active involvement is crucial for the success of the organization's initiatives and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.

8. Continuing Education and Training:
SynBorneo offers ongoing education and training opportunities for members to further understand syntropic farming and related topics. They support individuals keen on practicing syntropic farming and spreading the practice to others.

9. Commitment Duration:
Farmers interested in joining SynBorneo NGO should commit to a minimum duration of 10 years. This commitment ensures continuity and long-term support for the organization's initiatives and allows for the implementation and monitoring of sustainable farming practices over an extended period.

This addition emphasizes the long-term dedication required from farmers to fully realize the benefits of syntropic farming and sustainable agriculture practices, aligning with SynBorneo's mission of promoting ecological balance and community resilience.
These requirements aim to ensure that members are committed to achieving SynBorneo's goals and contributing effectively to its mission of promoting syntropic farming and sustainable agriculture practices.

10. Land Requirement:
Farmers interested in joining SynBorneo NGO should possess a minimum of 2 acres of land suitable for syntropic farming. It is preferred that the land borders the property of other members to minimize gaps between plots. This adjacency facilitates collaboration, resource sharing, and the creation of interconnected syntropic farming systems, enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of agricultural practices.

This addition emphasizes the need for farmers to have sufficient land for implementing syntropic farming techniques and encourages collaboration and synergy among members' properties to maximize the ecological and social benefits of the farming approach.

The benefits:

1. Access to Knowledge and Training: Farmers can gain access to valuable knowledge and training opportunities provided by SynBorneo. This includes learning about syntropic farming techniques, sustainable agriculture practices, and ecological principles, enhancing their skills and expertise in farming.

2. Technical Support and Guidance: SynBorneo can provide technical support and guidance to farmers, offering assistance with land preparation, crop selection, planting techniques, and maintenance practices. For instance, SynBorneo offers 1) compost and soil amendment advice which helps to improve soil fertility and health, which are essential for sustainable crop production. These amendments enhance soil structure, increase nutrient availability, and promote beneficial soil microorganisms, leading to higher yields and better crop quality. SynBorneo further provides 2) seedlings and planting plans, whereby SynBorneo assists farmers in initiating their agricultural activities without the need to invest heavily in initial resources and research (i.e., suitability of specific crops). This support ensures that farmers have access to high-quality plant materials and guidance on planting techniques, leading to successful crop establishment and growth
The technical inputs SynBorneo can provide help for farmers to optimize their agricultural operations efficiently and improve crop yields reliably.

3. Networking and Collaboration: Collaborating with SynBorneo allows farmers to connect with other like-minded individuals and organizations involved in sustainable agriculture within Sabah and also internationally. This networking opportunity facilitates collaboration, resource sharing, and the exchange of ideas, fostering a sense of community among farmers.

4. Financial Assistance: Synborneo offers financial assistance and funding opportunities to support farmers in implementing syntropic farming practices. This assistance offsets initial investment costs associated with land preparation, infrastructure development, and crop establishment (i.e., initial purchase of seeds).

5. Market Access and Value Addition: SynBorneo can assist farmers in accessing markets for their produce and adding value to their agricultural products. This may include connecting farmers with buyers interested in sustainably produced goods, as well as providing guidance on value-added processing and marketing strategies.

6. Environmental Benefits: By adopting syntropic farming practices promoted by SynBorneo, farmers can contribute to environmental conservation and ecosystem restoration efforts. Syntropic farming promotes biodiversity, soil health, and carbon sequestration, leading to improved environmental resilience and sustainability.

7. Community Engagement and Empowerment: Collaborating with SynBorneo allows farmers to engage with their local communities and contribute to community development initiatives. Syntropic farming promotes food security, ecological balance, and social cohesion, fostering resilient and vibrant communities.

8. Access to Cash Crops Markets: SynBorneo commits to purchasing defined cash crops, which provides farmers with a guaranteed market for their produce. This assurance reduces market uncertainty and financial risks for farmers, encouraging them to invest in growing cash crops. Additionally, access to markets ensures that farmers receive fair prices for their products, contributing to their financial stability and income generation.

Overall, collaborating with SynBorneo NGO offers farmers a holistic approach to sustainable agriculture, providing support, resources, and opportunities for growth and development in their farming practices. Providing start-up support such as seedlings, planting plans, compost, and committing to purchasing defined cash crops are significant benefits that SynBorneo NGO can offer to farmers.