Kampung Berseri Astra Tabek Talang Babungo: From Kare-Kare to Smart Home, Preserving Nature and Hope

SOLOK, WEST SUMATRA: The cool morning air in Tabek Talang Babungo Village greets visitors with simple warmth: a glass of hot sugarcane drink, a plate of kare-kare, and the smiles of locals welcoming each guest one by one. From the schoolyard, the sound of children performing the traditional plate dance rings out. This village offers more than just tradition—it’s a place to learn, create, and protect the nature that nurtures it.

Once known as a poor and isolated village, Tabek Talang Babungo has transformed into a Kampung Berseri Astra—a cultural and educational tourism village that blends the natural beauty of the Bukit Barisan mountains with the strength of its people. Agro-tourism, homestays, and Rumah Pintar (community learning center) now serve as gateways for anyone wishing to learn about living in harmony with nature.

“The Rumah Pintar was built through community collaboration. Astra supported us with equipment and assistance, but the spirit came from the villagers themselves. From there, we developed a brown sugar production house, a maggot farm, a waste bank, and fish ponds. Everything is connected, everything is beneficial,” said Kasri Satra, the village’s local champion.

The brown sugar production house, for example, is now managed by 20 families, producing up to 50 kilograms daily. The products are sold not only in West Sumatra but also reach Jakarta and Batam. Organic waste from production is sent to the maggot farm, while inorganic waste goes to the community-run waste bank. The proceeds are reinvested into education and healthcare for underprivileged families, even funding scholarships for youth to study in Japan.

Through the Kampung Berseri Astra program, Astra acts as a companion on the village’s journey—not changing its direction, but giving a gentle push to help the community go further. Support in the form of production tools, business training, and product promotion has empowered many local MSMEs to confidently expand beyond the village.

This inspiring story was the backdrop for the Second Roadshow of the 2025 Astra Photo Competition & Astra Journalism Award, held on Sunday (August 3). Over 100 participants—including journalists, students, photography communities, and local residents—gathered to learn photography and writing from Prasetyo Utomo (Managing Editor of Antara Foto) and Afrianita (Editor of Harian Haluan), while hearing firsthand stories from Kasri Satra.

“This village doesn’t just preserve heritage—it carries the spirit to sustain it. The presence of roadshow participants makes us feel our story can travel even further. Astra’s support—from infrastructure to production tools and business training—has made us more confident to continue the journey we’ve started,” Kasri said.

Today, Kampung Berseri Astra Tabek Talang Babungo boasts 45 homestays, nature trails, and open learning spaces for visitors. Guests can harvest sugarcane from the fields, visit the production house, or simply enjoy the crisp air with a cup of Indonesian-style coffee, kopi tubruk. On a small stage, children dance with plates in hand, reminding everyone that tradition lives on when given space to thrive.

Astra’s commitment to collaborating with communities like in Kampung Berseri Astra Tabek Talang Babungo aligns with its mission to prosper with the nation and supports Indonesia’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For further information, please contact:

Windy Riswantyo
Head of Corporate Communications
PT Astra International Tbk
Telp. 021-508-43-888

 

About Astra

Astra is one of Indonesia’s largest public companies, comprising 301 subsidiaries, joint ventures, and associate companies, supported by more than 190,000 employees. The company’s diversified business model creates synergies and opportunities across industry sectors including automotive & mobility, financial services, heavy equipment, mining construction & energy, agribusiness, infrastructure, information technology, and property. The company has a new sustainability framework which includes Astra’s 2030 Sustainability Aspirations. It will guide Astra in the transition journey to be a more sustainable business by 2030 and beyond. Astra wishes to contribute to the strength and resilience of the Indonesian economy while supporting an inclusive and prosperous society.

Astra has a strong record of public and social contributions through four pillars, which consist of health, education, environment, and entrepreneurship as well as nine foundations to contribute to the growth of the Indonesian economy while encouraging a more inclusive and prosperous society. Established in 2010, Astra’s Semangat Astra Terpadu Untuk (SATU) Indonesia Awards program, has recognised the contribution of 726 young Indonesians at the national and provincial level across the nation. 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 about Astra, visit 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.