Did you know that 9 August is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples? It’s a chance to learn about the cultures, knowledge, and ways of life of Indigenous Peoples around the world. This day also reminds us that the diversity of Indigenous communities is a vital part of our social and cultural fabric, and it deserves respect and protection.
In Indonesia, the Orang Rimba, also known as the Suku Anak Dalam (SAD), are an Indigenous community that works hard to keep their traditions and way of life alive. They face many challenges as they strive for more self-reliance and better livelihoods. Astra Agro focuses on supporting these efforts and aims to build positive relationships and live alongside Indigenous communities near its operations.
Astra Agro is working closely with Orang Rimba communities in Jambi. The company’s programmes are shaped by what the communities need and hope for, including support for food security, education, healthcare, better livelihoods, and legal identity.
Improving Food Security and Meeting Basic Needs
Making sure everyone has enough food is a main priority. In the first quarter of 2026, Astra Agro gave out 3.58 tonnes of rice and 331 food packages to Orang Rimba communities.
This support was made possible by working together with village governments, Ketemenggungan leaders, and other partners. These collaborations help make sure that help goes to the communities who need it most.
But food security is about more than just giving out food. Astra Agro also helps communities become more independent in growing their own food and improving their livelihoods through Agriculture Learning Centres (ALCs) at Suluh Rimbo Sikar and Suluh Rimbo Air Panas.
Between January and March 2026, the communities planted and harvested crops like long beans, peanuts, and chillies in stages. By the end of March, the Suluh Rimbo Sikar group had harvested 150 kilograms of long beans, while the Suluh Rimbo Air Panas group was still caring for their crops. They also received help with crop care, land management, pest and weed control, and post-harvest handling.
Creating New Opportunities Through Education
Education is key to opening up more opportunities for young people in the Orang Rimba community.
In early 2026, educational programmes for Orang Rimba communities grew to include everything from early childhood to higher education. There are still challenges, especially high dropout rates in primary and secondary school, since some children follow their parents who work and live in the forest.
To help with this, Astra Agro supports non-formal education through Community Learning Centres (PKBM). With the Package A, B, and C programmes, children can keep learning and take exams even while living in the forest. This gives them a way to earn nationally recognised qualifications.
In the first quarter of 2026, education activities also focused on building character through the Project for Strengthening the Pancasila Student Profile (P5). This programme helps students develop good character, independence, and teamwork.
The benefits of education can be seen in the stories of young Orang Rimba who have continued their studies and started professional careers. For example, Fauzan is a member of the Orang Rimba community who graduated from Polbangtan Bogor.
In the first quarter of 2026, Fauzan worked as a Plantation Assistant at one of Astra Agro’s plantation units in Kalimantan. He managed productivity and coordination across several plantation blocks, and supervised 26 harvesting workers and three supervisors. Fauzan’s story shows how education and opportunity can help young Indigenous people reach their potential and contribute to important industries.
Making Healthcare Services More Accessible
Access to healthcare is another key part of Astra Agro’s work with Orang Rimba communities. Services are provided through Posyandu community health posts, food support programmes, and Mobile Community Health Services (Puskesmas Keliling/Pusling).
In the first quarter of 2026, supplementary food was given to 11 pregnant women, 10 infants, 104 young children, 205 school-age children, 60 teenagers, 164 adults, and 28 older adults. Healthcare services also followed the Integrated Primary Healthcare (ILP) system, which helps monitor health across all age groups.
With mobile health services and support from the Pematang Kabau Community Health Centre, people in remote areas received medical check-ups, basic treatment, consultations, and health education.
Regular health checks include recording weight, height, immunisation status, pregnancy conditions, and other important health details. This information helps healthcare workers and community facilitators decide on the right follow-up actions, such as responding to cases of acute respiratory infections (ARI) found in some Orang Rimba groups.
Building Self-Reliance Through Working Together
Astra Agro’s work with Orang Rimba communities goes beyond short-term projects. The company also takes part in the Orang Rimba Social Development Partnership Forum (FKPS-SAD), where different groups come together to find ways to improve the livelihoods and living conditions of Orang Rimba communities.
In 2026, the forum started a more technical phase by looking at key challenges, setting priorities, and creating recommendations together. This follows an agreement to create a Grand Design for helping Orang Rimba communities recover and strengthen their livelihoods.
A key part of this process is making sure Orang Rimba communities are actively involved. Their needs and hopes are not just listened to; they form the foundation for future programmes created together.
Astra Agro uses a similar approach with the Meriau Group. In the first quarter of 2026, the company helped manage three hectares of productive land, which 16 members of the Beharop Maju Farmers Group in the Temenggung Nggrip area farm together.
Besides keeping track of jengkol trees and other crops, the programme helps the group work better together in managing their shared land. The 16 families involved now have clearer roles in maintaining, clearing, and monitoring the crops.
Growing and Moving Forward Together
For Astra Agro, the experience with Orang Rimba shows that real change takes ongoing teamwork. When communities work together to improve access to food, education, healthcare, legal identity, and jobs, they have a better chance to become more self-reliant.
By working with communities and different partners, Astra Agro keeps creating programmes that fit local needs and situations. Sustainability is not just about caring for the environment; it is also about making sure people living in and around these areas can live well, grow, and look to the future with more confidence.
