From Local Potential to Global Competitiveness: Astra Encourages Leading Commodities, Increases Community Income in Lombok and Bandung

JAKARTA: Astra continues to promote the economic independence of rural communities by developing leading local commodities through the Desa Sejahtera Astra program, which operates in multiple regions across Indonesia. As part of this initiative, Astra participates in the Kampus Berdampak Collaboration through the One Village One CEO (OVOC) approach, a program that develops village business ecosystems based on local flagship products, on Friday (24/4) at Desa Sejahtera Astra in West Bandung Regency.

Since 2020, Desa Sejahtera Astra in West Bandung Regency has carried out activities such as production planning and analysis with farmer groups, technology and knowledge transfer to enhance horticultural quality, marketing initiatives, and partnerships with market stakeholders. The program manages 20 hectares of land, benefits 650 community members, and achieves a production capacity of 15 tons per harvest cycle across six villages.

Local communities cultivate horticultural commodities, including watercress, pumpkin, tomatoes, Kenyan beans, chilli, red cabbage, and paprika. They receive support to increase production capacity, improve harvest quality, and expand market access, ensuring optimal product absorption. As a result, farmers in West Bandung have seen their monthly income rise from IDR 1.2 million to IDR 2.5 million.

“Astra views villages not only as objects of empowerment but as new centers of economic growth. Through the development of leading commodities integrated from upstream to downstream, we aim to ensure that communities are not only able to produce but also have competitiveness and sustainable market access,” said Astra Chief of Corporate Affairs Boy Kelana Soebroto.

Meanwhile, in other regions, Astra collaborates on village development and enhances processing capacity for porang products in Desa Sejahtera Astra, North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. This commitment was formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed by the Ministry of Social Affairs of Indonesia, Mataram University, and the porang product offtaker, PT Sanindo Pangan Rinjani, on Thursday (16/4). This collaboration aims to strengthen and accelerate existing programs in Desa Sejahtera Astra, North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

Since 2019, Astra has been assisting Desa Sejahtera Astra in North Lombok, involving 432 community members from 16 villages, through comprehensive training covering cultivation and post-harvest processes, agricultural product processing, product certification, and strengthening production facilities.

As a result, communities have developed key commodities such as porang, sorghum, candlenut, cashew, moringa, and chilli, which drive the local economy. This initiative has raised average community income from below IDR 1 million to approximately IDR 3 million per month and created new employment opportunities.

By 2025, the Desa Sejahtera Astra program will have reached 1,533 villages across 180 regencies in Indonesia, resulting in an average increase in community income of 56.85% and the creation of over 3,700 new jobs. Additionally, 492 villages have entered export markets in 26 countries, with a total valuation of approximately IDR 411 billion.

Astra’s commitment to rural community empowerment supports its aspiration to Prosper with the Nation and contributes to Indonesia’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

ALSO READ: From Logging to Ecotourism Guiding: The Story of Ritno Kurniawan, the Driving Force Behind Desa Sejahtera Astra Nyarai

For further information, please contact:
Windy Riswantyo
Head of Corporate Communications
PT Astra International Tbk
Phone. 021-508-43-888

 

About Astra
Astra is one of Indonesia’s largest public companies, with 322 subsidiaries, joint ventures, and associate entities, and more than 190,000 employees. The company’s diversified business model creates synergies and opportunities across various industrial sectors, including Automotive & Mobility, Financial Services, Heavy Equipment, Mining, Construction & Energy, Agribusiness, Infrastructure, Information Technology, and Property.

Astra has a sustainability framework that includes the Astra 2030 Sustainability Aspirations to guide the Group’s transition toward becoming a more sustainable company by 2030 and beyond. Astra aims to strengthen the resilience of the Indonesian economy while supporting an inclusive and prosperous society.

Astra has a strong track record of public and social contributions through four pillars: health, education, environment, and entrepreneurship, as well as nine foundations that contribute to Indonesia’s economic growth while supporting an inclusive and prosperous society. Established in 2010, the Astra's Semangat Astra Terpadu Untuk (SATU) Indonesia Awards program has recognized 792 young Indonesians at the national and provincial levels. The SATU Indonesia Awards program is integrated with Astra’s wide range of community activities through more than 1,500 Desa Sejahtera Astra and Kampung Berseri Astra in 35 provinces throughout Indonesia.

For more information, visit www.astra.co.id, and follow us on Instagram @satu_indonesia, TikTok @satu_indonesia, YouTube SATU Indonesia, X (Twitter) @satu_indonesia, LinkedIn PT Astra International Tbk, and Facebook Semangat Astra Terpadu.