A Glimpse of Astra's Assisted Villages: Stories of Economic Independence

Village development is a critical component of national progress. Indonesia's thousands of villages hold significant potential in agriculture, tourism, and local crafts. However, not all villages can develop independently. Social empowerment programs such as Astra's assisted villages play a vital role in supporting their growth.

This program reflects Astra's ongoing commitment to social development, economic growth, and environmental stewardship.

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What Are Astra's Assisted Villages?

Astra's assisted village program empowers entrepreneurship by leveraging each village's unique potential and signature products. The program operates under the Desa Sejahtera Astra (DSA) and Kampung Berseri Astra (KBA) initiatives, which began in 2018.

The initiative promotes the development of signature products from Astra's assisted villages, organized into three main clusters.

• Agriculture and its processed goods
• Marine and fisheries
• Tourism, crafts, and culture

Astra has supported 84 new DSAs and 35 new KBAs, bringing the total number of DSAs and KBAs in 2024 to 1,515. Of these, 145 are Climate Villages (PROKLIM), a program led by the Ministry of Environment and the Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) to enhance village resilience and their capacity to adapt to and mitigate climate change.

The Goals of Astra's Assisted Village Program

The program aims not only to provide short-term assistance but also to drive lasting change. Its primary objectives include the following.

• Improving villages' ability to make the most of local potential
• Developing human resource (SDM) capacity through training and education
• Encouraging innovation in environmental and economic management
• Fostering economic self-reliance and competitiveness among communities
• Becoming model villages that can be replicated in other regions

This approach ensures that rural communities are not only beneficiaries but also active participants in driving change.

Success Stories of Community Empowerment Through Astra's Assisted Villages

Below are examples of how Astra's assisted village program has successfully stimulated local economic growth.

1. Desa Sejahtera Astra Insan Madani Sukses

Through the Desa Sejahtera Astra program, Desa Sejahtera Astra Insan Madani Sukses in Malang, East Java, organized an export send-off of cowpeas and fishery products to the Netherlands.

The export, valued at IDR 63.2 billion, will be shipped in stages over one year. The first delivery included 10 tons of cowpeas and 1,500 boxes of fishery products, such as tilapia and catfish.

2. Desa Sejahtera Astra Samosir

Astra facilitated the export of 770 kilograms of andaliman spice, valued at IDR 455 million, from Desa Sejahtera Astra Samosir, North Sumatra, to Germany and France. The Andaliman Export Launch event took place in Garoga Village, Samosir, North Sumatra, and was attended by Samosir Regent Vandiko T. Gultom.

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Building Local Community Welfare Through Astra's Assisted Villages

Astra's assisted village program exemplifies sustainable village empowerment in Indonesia by building a foundation of knowledge, self-reliance, and long-term growth, rather than simply providing aid.

Through a comprehensive approach, the program enables rural communities to realize their full potential. For more information on Astra's other sustainability initiatives, please refer to the Astra Sustainability Report.