Bogor, October 30, 2024 – The role of Kartini Tani, an initiative by PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero), in agricultural development has significantly progressed. This was evident in the successful “Kartini Tani Pupuk Indonesia Organic Rice Harvest Festival” held at the Mulyaharja Organic Agro-Ecotourism site in South Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday (10/30/2024), yielding 9 tons per hectare—a 34% increase from previous harvests.

Tri Wahyudi Saleh, Director of Marketing at Pupuk Indonesia, highlighted President Prabowo Subianto's directive to expedite rice self-sufficiency. Kartini Tani has become a collaborative program aimed at supporting this initiative. He added that Kartini Tani is one of Pupuk Indonesia's efforts to strengthen the role of women in agriculture, enabling them to drive both community welfare and food security.

“Kartini Tani in Mulyaharja has proven that women's involvement can enhance welfare through increased crop yields. Through empowerment programs, women’s groups in Mulyaharja are encouraged to expand sustainable agricultural practices,” said Tri Wahyudi.

In Mulyaharja, Pupuk Indonesia provides training to the Ciharashas Women's Farmers Group (KWT). Kartini Tani participants here receive training to enhance their skills in organic rice cultivation, hydroponic systems, and horticultural farming.

The Kartini Tani group also benefits from farming guidance, fertilization recommendations, post-harvest monitoring, and assistance in marketing their agricultural products.

“Pupuk Indonesia also supports the extension of organic rice certification, increasing value and competitiveness for organic products, which we presented today. With rising demand for organic products, this sector offers significant potential,” Tri Wahyudi added.

He explained that Pupuk Indonesia has developed an ecosystem of organic and biological products to support sustainable agriculture, crucial for maintaining ecosystem health. Pupuk Indonesia believes that providing organic fertilizers for sustainable agriculture will contribute to Indonesia’s food security.

In Mulyaharja, Pupuk Indonesia applied NPK Phonska Alam fertilizer, composed of natural minerals suitable for organic farming systems. This fertilizer contains balanced, soluble nutrients (N, P, K) of standardized quality.

“Pupuk Indonesia, in collaboration with PIKA (the Association of Employees' Wives of Pupuk Indonesia), is supporting Kartini Tani by involving them in demonstrating the quality of NPK Phonska Alam. We hope this project inspires other organic farmers across Indonesia,” Tri Wahyudi added.

Meanwhile, Tata Rahmad Pribadi, Chair of PIKA Pupuk Indonesia, explained that the Kartini Tani program in Mulyaharja began on February 3, 2024. Here, Kartini Tani members have received training in plant cultivation, post-harvest management, and the introduction of organic fertilizers for sustainable agriculture.

Nationally, Tata added, Kartini Tani has reached five regions: Mulyaharja in Bogor, as well as Indramayu, Banyuasin, Banyuwangi, and Magelang. Each region’s program is tailored to the specific needs of its KWT, covering crops like dragon fruit, melon, chili, and others.

“As an agribusiness company, Pupuk Indonesia seeks to support all corporate programs by establishing Kartini Tani Indonesia. In Mulyaharja, the program strengthens women’s roles in organic agriculture development,” said Tata.

He stressed that women’s contributions to agriculture are vital. Kartini Tani is a women’s empowerment program to accelerate food self-sufficiency. Female farmers constitute 14.4% of Indonesia’s agricultural workforce.

“Kartini Tani mobilizes women to actively participate in food security efforts, contributing to community welfare. This initiative is designed to strengthen women’s roles through concrete steps, including institutional support, agribusiness development, skills enhancement, and digitalization of sustainable agricultural enterprises,” he concluded.

Responding to the program, Ciharashas KWT Chair Umyati shared how joining Kartini Tani has benefited her, particularly in raising her family’s standard of living. “Thanks to the knowledge gained, income from organic rice farming has become more optimal,” she said.

“We were just housewives with limited farming knowledge passed down through generations. Kartini Tani’s training has provided valuable knowledge, optimizing pest control and improving packaging practices,” said Umyati, fondly called Uum.

Uum expressed her gratitude to Pupuk Indonesia and PIKA Pupuk Indonesia, as she and other Ciharashas KWT members are motivated to advance agriculture in Bogor without neglecting their roles as homemakers.

“KWT members are not just homemakers; they are also food heroes for Indonesia. We are deeply passionate about advancing agriculture, supported by Pupuk Indonesia and PIKA Pupuk Indonesia,” she affirmed.