Pertamina Hulu Mahakam CSR Program Yields Bountiful Organic Rice Harvest in Kutai Kartanegara
Kutai Kartanegara, March 5, 2024 - PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM), Pertamina’s Upstream Sub-holding Kalimantan Region, conducted the inaugural harvest of organic agriculture through the Mahakam Prosperity Program, a CSR initiative by PHM in organic farming development in collaboration with the Maju Bersama Farmers Group and the State Polytechnic of Agriculture (Politani) Samarinda. The harvest took place at the demonstration plot location in Kutai Lama Village, Anggana, Kutai Kartanegara, on February 22.
Frans Alexander A. Hukom, the Head of Communication Relations & CID of PHM, revealed that the Mahakam Prosperity Program is one of the company's CSR initiatives in the economic sector and contributes to PHM's efforts in empowering farmer groups in the vicinity of the company's operations.
"In this program, PHM promotes the gradual development of organic farming methods through organic farming training for farmers, smart farming technology utilization training, introduction to organic rice products, and the Planting Index, or IP enhancement, from the initial IP 200 to IP 300. An IP 300 planting pattern means three harvests per year," explained Frans.
Based on samples taken by the Anggana Agricultural Extension Office, the estimated yield of the inaugural harvest of the Mahakam Prosperity Program is 5.7 tons per hectare. The types of rice planted include Red Rice, Inbrida C2, and Mayas varieties.
"The Mahakam Prosperity Program was initiated in 2022 by empowering 80 farmers from four farmer groups. The hope is that this program can help ensure the availability of healthy staple foods for the community at affordable prices," said Frans.
Present at the inaugural harvest event were the Heads of Kutai Lama Village, Handil Terusan Village, Sidomulyo Village, and representatives from Anggana District, Anggana Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Unit, Anggana Agricultural Extension Office, and other community groups.
One of the program participants, Rahmat Amin, revealed that initially, their farmer group used 100 percent chemical materials. Currently, the percentage has shifted to 50 percent organic materials. "Previously, our planting season was only twice a year. Now, our planting season has increased to three times a year, resulting in larger harvests and improved quality," explained Amin.
On a separate occasion, Dony Indrawan, Manager of Communication Relations & CID at PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia, expressed the company's commitment to continue implementing innovative and sustainable CSR programs to support community empowerment, especially in the economic sector. Dony believes that self-reliant communities will support the company's operations and the sustainability of oil and gas production to fulfill national energy needs.
"Following Pertamina's policy to support Indonesia's development, the Mahakam Prosperity Program is one of the implementations of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. This program supports efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth," he added.
Dony outlined the program's roadmap. This year (2024) aims to achieve a 70 percent organic and 30 percent chemical behavioral change in planting. Furthermore, next year, they hope to reach 100 percent organic.
"At present, the company is preparing for the rice and giant prawn innovations development, as well as preparations for organic rice certification," he added.
Similarly, Fadjar Djoko Santoso, Vice President of Corporate Communication of PT Pertamina (Persero), stated that Pertamina's CSR programs aim to promote community self-reliance, particularly in the areas around its operations, including the agricultural sector.
"Pertamina's presence is not only to harness natural resources to fulfill national energy needs but also to enhance the welfare of the community," concluded Fadjar.
Pertamina, as a leading company in the energy transition, is committed to supporting the Net Zero Emission 2060 target by continuously promoting programs that directly impact the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement. All these efforts align with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.**