Sijuk, Belitung, 29 July 2026 – Mangrove ecosystems play a vital role as a natural shield for coastal areas against abrasion, while also serving as habitat for numerous species and sustaining the livelihoods of surrounding communities. Protecting mangroves therefore calls for sustained care and involvement from all parties.

That spirit was on full display at the World Mangrove Day 2026 commemoration held at Batu Bedil Beach, Sungai Padang Village, Sijuk Subdistrict, Belitung Regency. Carrying the theme “Protecting Mangroves, Securing Future Generations,” the event saw 1,000 mangrove seedlings planted with the involvement of government bodies, local communities, businesses and a wide range of stakeholders.

PT Forestalestari Dwikarya and PT Palmindo Billiton Berjaya, subsidiaries of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, supported the initiative by providing the mangrove seedlings. The contribution forms part of the company’s broader effort to protect the environment while strengthening the resilience of coastal areas.

Syamsir, Deputy Regent of Belitung, praised the involvement of the many parties supporting the mangrove planting effort. He expressed hope that similar initiatives would continue to grow, including through independent seedling cultivation by Community Forest groups, so that mangrove rehabilitation can carry on as an ongoing, sustained effort.

“Mangrove rehabilitation must not stop at being a ceremonial activity. The mangroves that have been planted need continued care as they grow, given their vital role in protecting coastal areas from abrasion while maintaining ecological balance,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hari Sandi, Secretary of the Belitung Regency Environment Agency, said World Mangrove Day aims to boost community participation while strengthening cross sector collaboration in preserving mangrove ecosystems. He noted the effort reflects a shared commitment to protecting and managing mangrove areas sustainably.

“World Mangrove Day is a moment to reinforce our shared commitment to conserving and managing mangrove ecosystems sustainably. We also want to encourage broader community participation so that more people take part in protecting our coastal areas,” Hari explained.

Following the planting, ongoing monitoring and care are needed to ensure the seedlings grow well, a step that matters if the initiative’s benefits are to be felt over the long run.

Imam Munandar, Estate Manager of PT Forestalestari Dwikarya, said environmental conservation delivers greater impact when it is backed by shared care and commitment.

“Through this activity, we hope to contribute to protecting the coastal ecosystem while reinforcing the spirit of mutual cooperation among government, communities and businesses, so that we can pass on a better environment to future generations. Belitung is an archipelagic region with an extensive coastline, so preserving the coastal ecosystem is a responsibility we all share. We hope the mangrove seedlings planted today will continue to grow and become part of a better environment for generations to come,” said Imam.

More than just an annual commemoration, this activity positions mangrove conservation as an integral part of managing Belitung’s coastline. Its impact will be measured not simply by the number of seedlings planted, but by the consistency of care given to those plants and the ecosystem they support over time.

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Seruyan, Central Kalimantan (24 /07) – As part of its commitment to creating positive social impact in communities surrounding its operational areas, PT Binasawit Abadipratama (BAP), a subsidiary of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, distributed food aid packages to underprivileged residents and elderly people in Selunuk Village, Seruyan District.

Mulkan Nasution, Regional Controller for Central Kalimantan 3, said the initiative forms part of the company’s ongoing social responsibility towards communities in its operational areas. “We hope this assistance will help meet the essential needs of the beneficiaries, particularly underprivileged residents and the elderly. This initiative also reflects our commitment to maintaining strong and positive relationships with local communities and government stakeholders,” said Mulkan.

A total of 42 residents received food aid packages, each containing 10 kilograms of rice, 2 kilograms of sugar and one tray of eggs. The distribution was attended by representatives from the local government and security authorities, including the Head of Seruyan District, the Acting Head of Selunuk Village, the Head of the Seruyan Police Subsector Post, and the Commander of the Telaga Pulang Military Rayon. Their presence reflected the strong collaboration between the company, local government and security agencies in supporting community welfare.

Zainal Arifin, Head of Seruyan District, expressed his appreciation for PT BAP’s support for local residents in need. “We sincerely appreciate PT BAP for providing assistance to underprivileged residents and elderly people in our district. We hope this partnership will continue through various initiatives that bring lasting benefits to the community,” said Arif.

Through this initiative, PT BAP aims to help ease the burden on surrounding communities while strengthening collaboration with local stakeholders and fostering harmonious relationships across its operational areas.

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Ketapang, West Kalimantan (20 July) – Community-based layer farming continues to create new economic opportunities for residents of Siantau Raya Village, Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan. Through the Integrated Ecological Agriculture (PET) Programme, PT Agrolestari Mandiri (AMNL), in collaboration with the Siantau Raya Joint Business Group (KUB) and the Integrated Ecological Agriculture Facilitators Communication Forum (FKPPET), is strengthening community empowerment by promoting agribusiness development across the entire value chain. This includes training on value-added product diversification using outputs from layer farming.

The training, attended by members of KUB Siantau Raya, the Family Welfare Movement (PKK), and the Dharma Wanita association of Sungai Kelik Estate, aims to enhance community skills in processing poultry products into higher-value goods. The initiative is expected to strengthen local enterprises, increase household incomes, and support greater economic self-reliance within the village.

One of the programme’s key achievements has been the emergence of four young farmers who now manage the layer farming enterprise and serve as pioneers in fostering the next generation of agribusiness entrepreneurs in Siantau Raya Village. Their involvement demonstrates that livestock farming can provide a promising livelihood for young people when supported through mentoring, capacity building, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

According to Kaswadi, Estate Manager of Sungai Kelik Estate, the initiative builds on the Integrated Ecological Agriculture (PET) Programme first introduced by AMNL in 2016, which has continued to evolve in response to the community’s needs and local potential.

“Since 2024, the programme has focused on developing alternative sources of income through layer farming, covering the entire value chain from production to downstream activities. Beyond increasing egg production, we are encouraging the community to develop value-added products so that the economic benefits generated are greater and more sustainable. We hope more people, particularly younger generations, will recognise agribusiness as a viable and attractive business opportunity,” said Kaswadi.

The programme adopts a community-based agribusiness model that integrates economic, social, environmental, and welfare objectives. Alongside increasing egg production, it also promotes the productive use of livestock by-products, creating a circular economy system that delivers additional value to the community.

The initiative has also been welcomed by Norrahman, a representative of Siantau Village and an active participant in the programme. “Through this product diversification training, we have learned that livestock farming is not limited to selling eggs. The products can also be processed into a range of higher-value goods. We hope the knowledge we have gained will encourage us to continue innovating and enable more locally produced products to contribute to increasing community incomes,” said Norrahman.

Since the programme was introduced, monthly egg production has increased from 13,410 to 36,125 eggs, with peak production reaching 37,755 eggs per month. In addition to higher production, the community has successfully developed a range of value-added products, including salted eggs, egg crackers, chicken amplang crackers, chicken meatballs, organic compost, and independently produced day-old chicks (DOC). The conversion of livestock waste into organic compost further supports the circular economy approach while reducing waste generation.

Looking ahead, PT AMNL will continue strengthening collaboration with its partners to enhance the capacity of community groups, expand product diversification, and further develop a circular economy-based agribusiness model that delivers sustainable economic, social, and environmental benefits. The experience of KUB Siantau Raya demonstrates that youth regeneration in agriculture, women’s empowerment, rural economic development, and strengthened food security can progress simultaneously, providing a model with strong potential for replication in other regions.

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Siak, Riau, 17 July 2026 – Feed costs, which make up the largest share of expenses in freshwater fish farming, remain a persistent challenge for many farmers in Kandis Subdistrict, Siak Regency. Meanwhile, most of the harvest is still sold as fresh fish, leaving considerable potential for added value untapped.

To address these challenges, PT Ivo Mas Tunggal, a subsidiary of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, together with Sentra Kreatif Lestari Siak (SKELAS), held a Community Learning Centre (CLC) session titled “Alternative Feed Production and Diversification of Processed Freshwater Fish Products.” The training gave farmers hands-on experience in producing alternative feed from local raw materials, as well as turning their harvests into a range of value-added products.

The session drew 36 participants from farming groups and fish farmers across Kandis Subdistrict, alongside representatives from local government, fisheries extension officers, and members of the Siak Freshwater Fisheries Business Space Association (ARUNA) ecosystem. Initiated by PT Ivo Mas Tunggal, this ecosystem brings together players across the fisheries value chain – from input suppliers and farmers to those handling the marketing of harvests – within a single collaborative network designed to sustain their businesses over the long term.

Throughout the training, participants were introduced to a range of alternatives that can help lower production costs while opening up new market opportunities through processed products. Armed with these skills, farmers now have the option to reduce their reliance on commercial feed while boosting the economic value of their harvests.

Selamat Risky Tarigan, Head of the Brothers Farm Group, said the training offered fresh insights that could be put into practice straightaway, particularly in making use of local raw materials for alternative feed and developing processed products.

“This training opened our eyes to the fact that local raw materials we’d never thought to use can actually be turned into alternative feed. Beyond helping us cut production costs, it also gave us new ideas for developing processed products with higher market value. We hope this kind of mentoring continues, so that farmers’ businesses can keep growing,” he said.

Said Irwan, Head of Kandis Subdistrict, described the capacity-building effort as an important step towards strengthening food security while boosting the competitiveness of local businesses. He noted that collaboration between government, the private sector, and the community is key to advancing fisheries businesses built on local potential.

“We deeply appreciate PT Ivo Mas Tunggal’s role in organising this activity to strengthen fish farming groups in Kandis Subdistrict. This programme not only helps farmers produce goods with greater added value, but also drives business efficiency through the use of alternative feed. Collaboration like this is essential to strengthening food security while boosting the community’s competitiveness,” he explained.

Yolanda Ica, Chair of the Organising Committee, explained that the training forms part of the Inclusive Closed Loop model, which links farmers, processors, collectors, cooperatives, and companies within a single, mutually supportive value chain.

“Through this model, the community’s harvests gain market certainty and more efficient distribution, while delivering sustainable economic benefits to every player across the value chain,” she said.

This training marks the start of an ongoing mentoring effort. PT Ivo Mas Tunggal, together with the Aruna Siak ecosystem, has drawn up plans for developing alternative feed production, sourcing materials for replication, testing formulations, and making use of production facilities – all aimed at helping farmers put these innovations to work in their day-to-day businesses.

This community empowerment programme forms part of the Bright Future Initiative, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food’s network for accelerating Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which has so far supported 163 MSMEs in realising and developing 280 projects across the company’s operational areas in Indonesia.

Through this training, PT Ivo Mas Tunggal hopes to see freshwater fish farming businesses become more independent, efficient, and sustainable, while strengthening food security and the economic wellbeing of communities living alongside the company. “We believe that strengthening community capacity must go hand in hand with building a mutually supportive business ecosystem – one that covers everything from fish-rearing and feed production techniques through to promotion and product management. That’s why we don’t stop at training; we also foster collaboration, so that the innovations we introduce can be sustained and continue to deliver economic benefits for the community,” said Berthin Efranta Pinem, Estate Manager of Nenggala, PT Ivo Mas Tunggal.

Through continued mentoring and collaboration across the fisheries ecosystem, this initiative aims to encourage more farmers to put these innovations into practice. In doing so, freshwater fish farming in Kandis Subdistrict is expected to become more efficient, generate greater added value, and deliver lasting economic benefits for the community.

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Kotawaringin Timur, 16 July 2026 – PT Tapian Nadenggan, a subsidiary of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, has officially launched a Layer Farming Programme in Pantap Village, Mentaya Hulu District, Kotawaringin Timur Regency, as part of the Company’s commitment to strengthening food security while improving community livelihoods through its economic empowerment initiatives.

As an initial contribution, PT Tapian Nadenggan provided a complete layer farming support package to the Pantap Village Government. The assistance includes a 4 x 30 metre poultry house, 450 layer chicks, 36 sacks of feed for production-ready hens, and ongoing technical assistance until the birds reach laying age. The poultry house has been designed to be easy to clean, cost-efficient to operate, and environmentally friendly, enabling the community to manage the enterprise more efficiently.

Mulkan Nasution, Regional Controller for Central Kalimantan 3, said the programme was developed based on an existing livelihood with strong local potential. “Layer farming has already been practised by some members of the community and offers promising market prospects. For us, sustainability is not only about protecting the environment, but also about ensuring that communities surrounding our operational areas have the opportunity to grow and prosper independently through initiatives such as this layer farming programme,” said Mulkan.

With its relatively short production cycle and stable market demand, layer farming has the potential to provide a reliable source of daily income while increasing the availability of eggs as an affordable source of protein for local communities.

Juhaeni, Chair of the Pantap Village Cooperative, welcomed the initiative. “We are grateful for the support provided by PT Tapian Nadenggan. This programme opens up opportunities for us to develop a productive business. We hope it will help increase household incomes while delivering wider benefits to the surrounding community,” she said.

The Mentaya Hulu District Government also welcomed the initiative, recognising its contribution to strengthening food security while supporting local economic development. “This initiative delivers tangible benefits for the community. It not only supports food security but also creates opportunities to improve livelihoods through productive enterprises. We hope the collaboration between the government, the Company, and the community will continue to strengthen in support of sustainable development,” said H. M. Edison, Head of Mentaya Hulu District.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme, PT Tapian Nadenggan is providing ongoing technical and operational support, including guidance on flock management, feeding practices, animal health management, and business administration. This comprehensive assistance is intended to enable the community to manage the layer farming enterprise independently and sustainably.

Through initiatives such as this, the Company aims to further strengthen partnerships with local governments and communities in delivering programmes that generate lasting social, economic, and environmental benefits.

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Muara Wahau, East Kalimantan (14 July) – A total of 202 children from the sub-districts of Muara Wahau, Kongbeng and Telen took part in a mass circumcision programme held at Muara Wahau Police Station on Tuesday (7 July). The programme was the result of collaboration between various stakeholders to expand access to healthcare services for the community, whilst also forming part of a series of events marking the 80th Bhayangkara Day.

The event was made possible through a partnership between the East Kutai Police, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, and the Sinarmas branch of the Buddha Tzu Chi Foundation, with healthcare support provided by the Muara Wahau Community Health Centre (Puskesmas) and the Kongbeng Community Health Centre (Puskesmas), both of which operate as Regional Public Service Agencies (BLUDs).

Muhamad Harun, Regional Controller of Sinar Mas Plantations East Kalimantan 1, stated that cooperation among stakeholders is a key factor in delivering social programmes that bring tangible benefits to the community. “Cross-sector collaboration is a vital force in delivering social programmes that provide direct benefits to the community. We therefore warmly welcome this mass circumcision programme for children in the surrounding area. It is hoped that the synergy between the police, the government, companies, social organisations and healthcare workers will continue to be strengthen in support of community welfare.”

Meanwhile, Kompol Ahmad Abdullah, S.H., M.H., Deputy Chief of the East Kutai Police, who was present on behalf of the Chief of the East Kutai Police, said that the Bhayangkara Day commemoration was not merely a series of ceremonial activities but was also manifested through concrete actions that addressed the community’s needs. “Through this community service initiative, we aim to strengthen the relationship between the National Police and the community whilst delivering tangible benefits. I would like to thank all parties who have collaborated to ensure this event ran smoothly,” he said.

The event was also attended by the Chief of the Muara Wahau Police Station, Iptu Sumartono, S.H., along with representatives from the Sub-district Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimcam) from Muara Wahau, Kongbeng and Telen.

In addition to reviewing the mass circumcision programme, the Deputy Chief of the East Kutai Police, together with his delegation and accompanied by the management of Sinar Mas Plantation East Kalimantan 1, continued his itinerary to Jakluay Village to officially open the revitalised Merah Putih Presisi Bridge. The revitalisation of the bridge is expected to improve community mobility, enhance connectivity between areas, and support local economic activities.

This multi-stakeholder collaboration reflects the importance of working together to address the community’s needs. Through healthcare services for children and support for village infrastructure, each stakeholder can contribute according to its respective roles to deliver benefits that are directly felt by the community. Looking ahead, it is hoped that this spirit of collaboration will continue in order to support improvements in the community’s quality of life, as well as inclusive and sustainable development across East Kutai.

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Dumai, Riau, 7 July 2026 – A total of 176 cadres from 41 integrated health service posts (Posyandu) in Sungai Sembilan and Dumai Kota sub-districts took part in a training programme aimed at strengthening their knowledge and skills to support stunting prevention efforts. Through this training, the cadres received guidance on implementing the six Posyandu Minimum Service Standards (SPM) ^[1] and applying them in their day-to-day work with the community.

The training is part of an ongoing collaboration between PT Ivo Mas Tunggal (IMT), a subsidiary of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, together with PT Energi Sejahtera Mas (ESM) of Sinar Mas Cepsa, Tzu Chi Sinar Mas, and ADM, in support of the Dumai City Government’s efforts to strengthen Posyandu services. The initiative reflects the collaborating organisations’ shared commitment to improving community health and nutrition in the areas where they operate.

The event was also attended by the Ministry of the State Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia, represented by Mita Apriyanti, Assistant Deputy for Health, Nutrition, and Family Development (Asdep KGPK) at the Office of the Vice-Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia.

Mita noted that the national decline in stunting prevalence from 30.8 percent in 2018 to 19.8 percent in 2024 was an achievement worth recognising, though the challenges that remain still call for collective effort across multiple parties.

“Stunting isn’t just a matter of nutrition, it’s also tied to the quality of caregiving, access to sanitation, and the broader socio-economic conditions communities face. That’s why accelerating the reduction of stunting can’t rely on health interventions alone, it needs collaboration across many different parties,” she said.

Mita expressed hope that the collaborative model being carried out in Dumai could serve as an example for other regions seeking to strengthen stunting prevention through cross-sector partnerships.

The training carries added significance given that stunting remains a challenge in Dumai City. According to the 2024 Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey (SSGI), the city’s stunting prevalence stands at 16.9 percent. While this figure sits below the national average, it nonetheless points to the need for long-term commitment and continued collaboration to drive further progress.

One of the central topics covered in the training was the implementation of the six SPM at Posyandu level. Through the session, cadres strengthened their understanding of delivering health services, from health education and growth monitoring to community assistance tailored to needs on the ground. The training not only broadened the cadres’ knowledge but also bolstered their confidence in supporting communities through the services provided by Posyandu.

Widyawati, a cadre at Posyandu Sejahtera in Sungai Geniot Urban Village, said the training offered far more than new material to absorb, it also enriched the way cadres engage with communities in their day-to-day Posyandu work.

“This training has given me a clearer understanding of how to apply the six Minimum Service Standards at Posyandu. We also got to swap experiences with cadres from other areas, which gave us a lot of fresh learning,” she said.

In their daily work, Widyawati and fellow cadres do more than weigh and measure toddlers. They also prepare Supplementary Feeding (PMT), deliver it to children experiencing stunting, and follow up to make sure the food is actually being consumed.

Echoing this, Fahmi Rizal, Regional Secretary of Dumai City, said Posyandu cadres play a vital role in supporting communities and therefore need ongoing opportunities to build their knowledge and experience.

“Posyandu cadres need continued support so they can deliver even better services to the community. We hope this collaboration can also inspire more parties to work together in supporting stunting prevention efforts,” he said.

This commitment was further affirmed through the signing of the Dumai City Stunting Reduction Acceleration Commitment by the Regional Secretary of Dumai City together with a representative of the Vice-Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia. The signing stands as a symbol of shared commitment to strengthening cross-sector synergy in support of sustainable stunting prevention efforts.

This commitment didn’t end in the training room. Together with the Dumai City Government and Tzu Chi Sinar Mas, the team from the Office of the Vice-Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia visited Posyandu Sejahtera Buluh Hala in Sungai Geniot Urban Village, the Maternal and Child Integrated Service Unit at Puskesmas Sungai Sembilan, as well as Puskesmas Pembantu (Pustu) Laksamana.

All parties engaged in dialogue with Posyandu cadres, health workers, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, parents of toddlers, and elderly residents, gaining a first-hand view of how health services are carried out at the community level. The visit also provided an opportunity to hear directly from residents and to better understand the various opportunities and challenges in stunting prevention, helping ensure the initiatives remain closely aligned with community needs.

Closing out the series of activities, Paulus Tumanggor, General Manager of PT Ivo Mas Tunggal, said cross-sector collaboration is a key factor in ensuring public health programmes can deliver lasting benefits.

“We’re grateful for the support of the Office of the Vice-Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia, the Dumai City Government, ADM, Tzu Chi Sinar Mas, and everyone who has come together for this initiative. It’s this kind of synergy that keeps efforts on the ground moving forward and delivering real benefits for the community. We hope this collaboration continues to grow, helping raise the quality of public health in Dumai,” he said.

Through the strengthening of Posyandu cadre capacity, the signing of a joint commitment, and direct engagement with community-level health services, this collaboration is expected to further reinforce stunting prevention efforts in Dumai City. The synergy between government, the private sector, health workers, and the community stands as an important foundation for delivering higher-quality, sustainable health services for mothers, children, and families.

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Labuhanbatu Utara, North Sumatra, 3 July 2026 – Amid rising chemical fertiliser prices and increasingly patchy supply, vermicompost made from cattle manure is proving a promising solution for farmers in Aek Korsik Village, Labuhanbatu Utara, North Sumatra, looking to lift their agricultural productivity.

Through a watermelon demonstration plot developed by PT SMART Tbk, a subsidiary of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, in partnership with Sekolah Tani Indonesia (STI), farmers have been able to see first hand the benefits of vermicompost as an organic fertiliser alternative.

For years, cattle manure in Aek Korsik Village went largely underused. Some farmers had been applying it directly to their fields, but the practice carries risks, since the nutrients aren’t yet ready for absorption, which can damage crops and even encourage pests and disease.

Recognising this challenge, PT SMART Tbk and STI have been working alongside the community since August 2025 to process cattle waste through vermicomposting. The method relies on African Night Crawler earthworms to break down livestock waste into vermicompost, an organic fertiliser that naturally helps restore soil fertility.

The programme involves farmers from the Sumber Jaya Farmers’ Group in Aek Korsik Village, currently ten members strong. Through hands on mentoring, the group has been trained to apply vermicomposting techniques directly at the community level.

The initiative delivers more than just organic fertiliser that improves soil structure, boosts microorganism activity, and supports healthier root development. It has also opened up a new economic avenue through worm cultivation. Beyond breaking down waste, the worms themselves carry commercial value, useful for fish feed and various industrial applications.

Through this approach, cattle manure once left unused is now being transformed into organic fertiliser, easing farmers’ reliance on chemical alternatives. The resulting improvement in soil fertility is expected to support a range of crops, from vegetables and fruit to oil palm, while opening up additional income opportunities for the community.

To see the benefits for themselves, farmers and the mentoring team developed a watermelon demonstration plot on 1,000 square metres of land. Through this trial plot, vermicompost was compared against conventional chemical fertiliser, allowing farmers to observe the difference for themselves in the field.

Observations showed that watermelon plants grown with vermicompost developed stronger root systems, benefited from looser, more workable soil, and showed greater resilience compared with plants grown using chemical fertiliser. Chemical fertiliser use could also be reduced by around 30 per cent, while productivity rose by roughly 15 per cent.

Legimin, a farmer from Dusun Patok Besi, Aek Korsik Village, said the changes were clear over the course of a single planting season. “We could see the difference in plant condition and soil quality with our own eyes. Vermicompost has delivered very promising results and has the potential to lower production costs for watermelon farming, while the plants themselves look stronger and healthier,” he said.

Echoing this, Fatoni Saputra, Programme Director at Sekolah Tani Indonesia, said the demonstration plot was the most effective way to show that livestock waste can be turned into a solution that delivers real benefits for farmers.

“This demonstration plot proves that cattle manure can be transformed into a quality fertiliser that boosts watermelon productivity while reducing farmers’ dependence on chemical fertiliser. Beyond improving agricultural yields, this initiative also opens up new business opportunities through organic fertiliser production based on local resources,” he explained.

Community enthusiasm was evident when harvest season arrived. Dozens of housewives came directly to the field to buy the watermelons grown by local farmers. The moment captured how waste once left unused is now yielding food products in genuine local demand, while creating added value for the farmers themselves.

Sucipto, Estate Manager at PT SMART Tbk’s Padang Halaban Estate, said the company hopes the initiative will help the community make independent and sustainable use of local resources.

“Through this mentoring programme, the community can develop the skills needed to turn cattle manure into a new source of income. From worm cultivation and vermicompost production through to food crop development, we hope the community will have more options to increase household income while building a more sustainable farming system,” said Sucipto.

This community empowerment programme forms part of the Bright Future Initiative, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food’s network for accelerating Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which has so far supported 163 MSMEs in realising and developing 280 projects across the company’s operational areas in Indonesia.

Through this initiative, the company hopes to continue strengthening the economic resilience of beneficiary communities and fostering independent, locally rooted enterprise.

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Kotawaringin Timur, 1 Juli 2026 – To commemorate World Environment Day 2026, PT Tapian Nadenggan, a subsidiary of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, joined hands with the Mentaya Hulu Sub-district Administration, the Pantap Village Administration, customary leaders, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and local communities to plant 500 trees in Pantap Village, Mentaya Hulu Sub-district, Kotawaringin Timur Regency. The activity formed part of the Company’s “Inspired by Nature, For Climate, For Our Future” programme, which integrates environmental conservation with community empowerment initiatives.

A total of 500 trees were planted, comprising 250 fruit trees and 250 shade trees, to enhance vegetation cover while contributing to long-term environmental sustainability.

The event also marked the launch of three complementary community programmes in Pantap Village: a laying hen farming programme to strengthen food security and create new economic opportunities for local communities; the distribution of 80 food aid packages to beneficiary families; and the provision of standard health kits for the village’s integrated health post (Posyandu) to support improved maternal and child healthcare services.

Mulkan Nasution, Regional Controller for Central Kalimantan 3, said that World Environment Day serves as an important reminder that environmental stewardship and community development go hand in hand.  “Through tree planting and our community empowerment programmes, we want to demonstrate that environmental conservation can go hand in hand with improving people’s quality of life. We hope this collaboration will continue to grow, delivering lasting benefits to the community,” he said.

Juhaeni, Chair of the Pantap Village Cooperative, welcomed the initiative. “We hope this programme will not only increase household incomes and create new business opportunities, but also strengthen food security and serve as a successful example of village-based community empowerment,” he said.

Meanwhile, H. M. Edison, Head of Mentaya Hulu Sub-district, commended the collaboration between the company, local government, customary leaders, and the community. “We appreciate PT Tapian Nadenggan’s commitment not only to environmental conservation through the planting of 500 trees, but also to strengthening food security and improving local livelihoods through its laying hen farming programme,” he said.

These initiatives reflect PT Tapian Nadenggan’s ongoing commitment to delivering programmes that balance environmental, social, and economic priorities. Through this integrated approach, the Company aims to continue supporting sustainable rural development that is aligned with the needs and potential of communities surrounding its operations.

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Pangkalberas, West Bangka, 26 June 2026 – Few believed Kusman would make a success of it when he began cultivating honey in Limang Hamlet, Pangkal Beras Village, West Bangka Regency, back in 2016. Armed with little more than knowledge he had taught himself online and a modest amount of capital, he pressed ahead with a honey business that many of those around him dismissed as a long shot.

His interest had been sparked by watching honey businesses flourish in other parts of Indonesia. It left him wondering why honey from Bangka couldn’t achieve the same recognition as similar products from elsewhere in the country.

Convinced there was an opportunity worth pursuing, Kusman set up 50 honey logs, each measuring roughly 25 by 50 centimetres. The outlay came to around Rp100,000 per log, with each one needing to yield at least a kilogram of honey simply to break even.

“At first, people laughed at me. They said there was no money in it and that it wouldn’t last. But I thought that if I never tried, I’d never know how far Bangka honey could really go,” Kusman recalled.

A month after his first attempt, Kusman brought in his maiden harvest. That early success became the spark that drove him to keep expanding the business, gradually increasing his log count along the way.

The journey was far from straightforward, however, since honey production depends heavily on nature’s timing. The main harvest typically comes round just once a year, while subsequent yields hinge on flowering seasons and weather conditions that can shift at a moment’s notice.

Kusman now cultivates three distinct varieties of honey, each with its own character. There’s Apis dorsata honey, drawn from the pelawan, perepat and rempudung trees; the thicker, richer Apis cerana honey; and Trigona stingless bee honey, prized for its distinctive sweet-and-bitter flavour.

Of the three, Apis cerana honey has become a particular focus of development, now supported through a mentoring programme run by PT Bumi Permai Lestari (BPL), a subsidiary of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food. This variety holds strong potential for sustainable growth, as it can be cultivated and managed more predictably by local communities.

That perseverance paid off when Kusman won third place in the micro-enterprise category at the 2018 Outstanding MSME Awards for Bangka Belitung Islands Province. A recognition that only deepened his belief that beekeeping could become a genuine livelihood for the surrounding community.

The momentum Kusman had built also gave rise to the Padang Harapan Limang Forest Farmers Group (KTH) in 2017. The group has since grown to 25 members, all working together to develop honey and other non-timber forest products across their local area.

Since 2025, PT Bumi Permai Lestari (BPL) has been mentoring the Padang Harapan Limang Forest Farmers Group through a community empowerment programme focused on growing the honey business and other non-timber forest products. The initiative forms part of the company’s wider efforts to help safeguard forest conservation while opening up economic opportunities for nearby communities.

Beekeeping was chosen specifically because it delivers economic value without depleting forest cover. As bees depend entirely on flowering vegetation, communities are encouraged to protect the trees and plants that sustain them. Building greater awareness of why the forest matters in the process. The approach is designed to support sustainable agroforestry, ease pressure on more destructive forms of forest exploitation, and help communities capture real economic value from non-timber forest products.

For the people of Limang Hamlet, honey has come to mean far more than a commodity harvested from the wild. It has become a reason in itself to protect the forest that has long served as both a feeding ground for bees and a source of livelihood for the community.

In October 2025, PT Bumi Permai Lestari (BPL) provided support in the form of 50 honey logs and five sets of protective equipment to help the group grow its business. That support has already borne fruit: the group has harvested around 20 kilograms of honey from the 20 logs now in production. But for Kusman, the biggest challenge these days isn’t producing honey – it’s getting it in front of a bigger market.

With that in mind, the mentoring provided by the company and Sekolah Tani Indonesia has expanded beyond production alone to strengthen the business side of things too – from building a brand identity and designing packaging and labels suited to honey’s particular qualities, through to sharpening business administration and widening sales channels. Until now, the bulk of sales have relied on repeat customers and word of mouth across neighbouring villages.

“Most of the people who buy from us so far have come because they already know us, or heard about us through word of mouth. My hope is that one day, when people go looking for honey from Bangka, the products from Limang Hamlet will be the ones they choose,” said Kusman.

Today, honey from the Padang Harapan Limang Forest Farmers Group is also being used as a gift item at events involving PT Bumi Permai Lestari (BPL) and its partners. A deliberate step towards introducing the product to a wider audience and unlocking new market opportunities for the group.

“Every region has its own unique local potential. Through this mentoring programme, we want to help the community strengthen the business side of things, so that honey from Limang can reach a wider market and create more value. We hope this initiative continues to grow and supports the community’s economic resilience through a range of sustainable, and productive ventures,” explained Ismail Arsyad, Regional Controller PT Bumi Permai Lestari (BPL).

This community empowerment programme sits under the Bright Future Initiative, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food’s network for accelerating micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which has so far helped 163 MSMEs bring 280 projects to life across the company’s operational areas in Indonesia.

That ambition marks the next chapter for the Padang Harapan Limang Forest Farmers Group. Having proven that honey can become a genuine source of livelihood for the community, the group is now working to ensure this product of Limang Hamlet reaches far more consumers, both within Bangka Belitung and well beyond it.

The post From Limang Hamlet, Bangka’s Honey Reaches for Wider Markets appeared first on PT Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology Tbk (PT SMART Tbk).