Stories Harvesting Hope: Siti Marfuah’s Journey to Empower Palm Oil Farmers

Siti Marfuah is unlike any other palm oil farmer from South Sumatra. Starting her career as a qualified midwife, she became a passionate advocate of palm oil replanting in 2016 after witnessing the impact of replanting on the economic wellbeing of her community and women empowerment. Over the next eight years, Siti became the visionary leader of the Koperasi Serba Usaha (KSU) Al-Faiz Mandiri cooperative that has raised the incomes and livelihoods of more than 300 farmers in her province.

Siti and KSU faced tremendous challenges when they first started. They had to convince independent farmers in South Sumatra to change their traditional farming practices into more result-oriented efforts through good agricultural practices. They also had to seek capital and technical assistance to replace old and unproductive palm oil trees with new ones. Siti recognised early on that these challenges can only be addressed by adopting a collaborative approach driven by a purpose to benefit the community.

The collaborative approach envisioned by Siti brought KSU into a strategic partnership with Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food under its subsidiary PT Djuanda Sawit Lestari. Under the Peremajaan Sawit Rakyat (PSR) programme, more than IDR 150 billion was invested to fund seedlings and fertilisers across 1,315 hectares of farmland. The funding helped independent farmers overcame the challenge of accessing cheaper loans through financial institutions.

Driven by her belief of women empowerment, Siti ensured that women from her community gain means for self-sufficiency by joining the programme. Within three years of Siti’s joining the cooperative, over 100 women, predominantly from the surrounding villages of Marga Sakti, Lubuk Pandan, and Muara Lakitan, had actively participated in the PSR programme. Their participation translated into not only financial independence, but also a newfound sense of purpose and self-worth.

“The shift from my previous roles to managing palm oil plantations was a deliberate decision driven by my desire to bring sustainable change to our community. I saw the potential of the PSR programme not only to revitalise our ageing plantations, but also to uplift the local women’s confidence to reach a better state of their economic conditions”, Siti shared.

The impact of the PSR programme has transcended individual empowerment. Over 300 farmers have experienced a remarkable 30% increase in their yields, resulting in a significant boost in their incomes. The income per household has reached IDR 3,144,446, which is a competitive income in the regency of Musi Rawas. Farmers also receive an extra incentive of IDR 500,000 per hectare for their farmland incentive. This newfound economic stability has sparked a wave of positive changes at the community level. Children now have access to better education, while families can afford nutritious meals. The overall quality of life has demonstrably improved.

Nonetheless, Siti’s vision extends beyond immediate gains. She is now casting her sight on sustainable development. She has implemented numerous initiatives including educational programmes that equip farmers with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of modern agriculture. The other initiative to ensure long-term prosperity is developing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to nurture entrepreneurial spirit and diversify the local economy.

The pathway to a prosperous future remains fraught with challenges. Changing mindsets, overcoming resource limitations and navigating the complexities of rural infrastructure remain hurdles to overcome. According to Siti, “Revitalising our palm oil plantations takes a long time partly because of issues with the completing different documents including licensing document and partnership document etc. We also encountered challenging procedures for finance documentation for submission to the bank. However, the PSR programme, supported by Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, has guided us to solve all the challenges in the past. I remain optimistic that we can overcome these challenges in the future.”

Today, KSU Al-Faiz Mandiri stands as a testament to Siti’s labour. The cooperative has widely been recognition in Musi Rawas as an inspiration for sustainable development across the region of South Sumatra and even all over Indonesia. As Siti looks towards the future, her aspirations are clear: to see KSU Al-Faiz Mandiri flourish as a leading example of empowered communities, thriving on a foundation of sustainable practices and equitable opportunities for all.

Siti Marfuah’s inspiring journey goes beyond personal accomplishment. It exemplifies the transformative impact of leadership, collaboration, and a deep dedication to empowering communities. Her leadership and dedication encourage people to work together towards a more equitable and prosperous Indonesia.