For many communities, oil palm cultivation extends beyond its role as a commodity and has become essential for enhancing family welfare. Previously managed on a small scale, oil palm now provides a stable source of household income. In Pasangkayu Regency, oil palm has emerged as a central pillar of the local economy. Farmers harvest fresh…
The Suku Anak Dalam community is an indigenous society living in the interior of Jambi, with a way of life still strongly influenced by tradition and local wisdom. Amid various limitations in access to basic services, this community continues to adapt to change without abandoning its cultural identity. However, changes within the Suku Anak Dalam…
In a village in Rio Pakava District, Donggala Regency, women are building new hopes. This change has developed gradually through daily routines, beginning with small steps and growing into the confidence to shape a different future. The Perempuan Maju Jaya Group provides a space for these hopes to grow. Here, women gather, learn, and support…
In many villages, small businesses often emerge from home kitchens, backyards, or simple ideas pursued with perseverance. Despite their modest beginnings, these enterprises hold significant potential to drive not only household economies but also local communities. With the right support—ranging from mentoring and training to market access—these businesses can grow into stronger and more sustainable…
Waste is a persistent issue in both urban and rural areas. Single-use plastic bags, food scraps, and packaging frequently accumulate due to inadequate management. At the national level, the issue of waste is no longer merely a matter of cleanliness, but also concerns public health, environmental pollution, and climate change. According to data from the…
Amid growing global concern over the environmental crisis, particularly plastic pollution, the subsidiaries of PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk. (Astra Agro) in Kalimantan demonstrate that solutions can emerge from simple places, such as schoolyards, used bottles, and the eager hands of students. Inspiring initiatives are emerging from various regions in Kalimantan, all sharing a common…
Every day, Liliana, the 38 years old housewive, walks for about 45 minutes through dense thickets and up and down steep roads to fetch clean water from a spring on the Lariang River in Towiora Village, Donggala Regency, West Sulawesi. Countless times a day, she and other members of the Kaili Tado tribe make multiple…
Amidst the green hills and blue sea stretching to the horizon, North Morowali holds simple yet meaningful stories. PT Agro Nusa Abadi (ANA) has made a significant impact over the years, not merely as a business but as an essential part of the community’s life. Through social responsibility programs, the company addresses the genuine needs…
In a small village in the interior of Central Sulawesi, surrounded by vast stretches of palm oil plantations, a girl named Novita Sari often harvests oyster mushrooms from hundreds of baglogs. A baglog refers to the plastic containers, made from heat-resistant polypropylene, in which the mushrooms grow. The cylindrical bags are neatly arranged in a…
Fatur Rachman Hidayat is the young man behind the formation of the Inisiasi Muda organization in a rural village near one of Astra Agro’s business entities, PT Letawa, located in Pasangkayu Regency, West Sulawesi. While his peers were focused on personal development, Fatur thought outside the box and started this non-profit organization on his own…
Limitations can have two outcomes: they may act as barriers if ignored, or they can become opportunities when explored. This is the experience of Pokdakan (Fisheries Cultivation Group) Maju Bersama in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, who chose the latter in facing their challenges. The group faced constraints due to the limited and expensive supply…
A group of Suku Anak Dalam (SAD) women proudly walked home, joyfully carrying their harvest of long beans and cucumbers. Despite the weight, their smiles radiated happiness. These crops symbolize their bright future of economic and food independence, reflecting their hard work and determination. It’s inspiring to witness their journey toward self-sufficiency! The thriving crops…
The contribution of smallholder farmers is essential to sustainable oil palm plantation practices within the supply chain. The smallholder farmers contributed a significant role as a source of fruit supply for Astra Agro’s palm oil mills. One such farmer is Sabar, who has been in partnership with PT Sawit Jaya Abadi (PT SJA), a subsidiary…
A girl in a light blue uniform eagerly raises her hand when the teacher asks her to solve an arithmetic problem on the blackboard. Based on her appearance, she looks old enough to be in the 6th grade of elementary or junior high school. However, she is still learning the curriculum typically covered in the…
