Every time I go to Jombang, East Java, to visit my oldest son in a pesantren (Islamic boarding school), I always take several roads that are lined by rows of sorghum stalks in a cluster of fields. When spotting this plant, I instantly recalled my childhood memories. Back then, I would join my friends in sipping a stalk of sorghum given away by local farmers during harvest. It tasted strangely sweet with a rather astringent flavor, totally unlike sugar cane. But I couldn't help but rejoice in the seemingly trivial experience.  

One day, on the way to the same pesantren, I pulled over and stopped for a moment only to observe the rare sorghum. I prefer calling it rare as there are no longer sorghum stalks I can find here in my hometown. The sight of the flowering plant has indulged me into an instant joy. However, deep down, I knew that this longing was actually a slight regret as this plant had lost its prestige as a staple food that ancient people used to consume, including villagers of mine.

Sorghum that may replace rice in Jombang (Personal doc)

I couldn't thank Rizki Hamdani enough for his support in promoting the growth of sorghum in the area. Owing to his untiring effort, farmers in Jombang have benefited economically from the plant as well as gained assurance of alternative consumption to support food security in the future. What makes me even happier is the fact that more young people are fervent to be farmers which millennials alike have seemed unenthusiastic about becoming.

In honor of his hard work and perseverance, Rizki was presented with the 11th Satu Indonesia Awards in 2020 by PT Astra International, Tbk. He was considered successful in inspiring young people to grow interest in farming by founding a group called Kelompok Santri Tani Millenial. The name of the group includes three main words: santri (students in Islamic boarding school), tani (farming), and millennial which indicates the involvement of the young generation. With the group, Rizki has proven that santris should not be entirely dependent on parents while focusing only on religious studies.  

Rizki's hard work finally paid off. (Photo credit: Satu Indonesia)

Successful farmers are possible

After learning that the young generation's perception of agriculture and animal husbandry has been negative, that being a farmer is not profitable, Rizki Hamdani is then determined to convince them that these two professions actually promise good income. Rizki commenced a program at Pondok Fathul Ulum because this pesantren did not have formal education, unlike other modern Islamic boarding schools. His program is special because it encourages santris to embrace entrepreneurship through sustainable farming on the basis of eco-friendliness.  

He chose Jombang since he's married to Silvia Nur Rochmah, a local woman with whom he lives permanently after resigning from his job in Jakarta. Rizki is actually an Acehnese but decided to do something for people in the city known as Kota Santri. In the new city, he started his own venture of cultivating catfish which proved to go very well.

While running the business, he had the opportunity to tour the area where he lives and witnessed the shocking fact that agriculture had become less favorable to younger people due to the lack of regeneration. It is undeniable that farming is not an ideal profession. Whereas the production cost is increasing, the profit made from harvest is decreasing. Not to mention that being a farmer is normally associated with a filthy look instead of an attractive appearance like that of an office employee.

As far as Rizki is concerned, it is dangerous to let the phenomenon take place. If young people are not encouraged to love and do farming—simply thinking this is a lowly and unprofitable job—that they choose to work as employees or factory laborers, then we must be prepared for food shortage sooner or later. That is what Rizki is concerned about. We have so far relied primarily on farming for food to help us sustain our lives. When no one is interested in farming, what can we possibly expect to have in the future?

Rizki and his students when feeding catfish (Photo credit: Kukuh Bhimo Nugroho)

And his fate was sealed when he met some students of Pondok Pesantren Fathul Ulum known as Pondok Gerdu Laut. They often paid him a friendly visit and finally developed a connection so strong that he's willing to help them with their catfish farming. It just so happened that those students were also raising catfish in their pesantren. With Rizki onboard and the approval of Mr. Ahmad Habibul Amin (the school director), they were confident to thrive in the business.

Going together like a horse and a carriage  

Since the first meeting in 2016 with Rizki, Mr. Amin had grown no doubt that this young man from Bireuen would make a perfect partner to make his santris advance. In the collaboration, Rizki is required to help the students in the pesantren to develop their entrepreneurial skills in what Mr. Amin had started on the premises. A Javanese expression, tumbu oleh tutup, may best describe Mr. Amin and Rizki's partnership. They go together like a horse and a carriage: the first works on education and the latter on entrepreneurship. 

Mr. Amin (in black cap) and Rizki on a mutual partnership (Photo credit: Kukuh Bhimo Nugroho)

Mr. Amin is fully aware that his traditional pesantren needs someone outside the organization to help 340 male and female students undertake business ventures. With Rizki's experience and competence, the students will be able to learn how to run a business including risk management. Since then has he become an unofficial consultant for Fathul Ulum students who gained valuable insight and important lessons about tenacity and integrity.  

Rizki pointed out that there are numerous pesantrens in Indonesia, and Jombang in particular, so we have ample opportunity to promote farmer regeneration. Each region across the archipelago has enormous potential for economic development. That being the case, students in those pesantrens need to be encouraged to cultivate local resources while strengthening agricultural concepts in a more systematic way.

The synergy between Rizki and Mr. Amin has led them to a fulfilling reward. The pesantren located in Puton, Diwek sub-district was initiated into a program called Desa Sejahtera Astra (Astra Prosperous Villages). Abbreviated as DSA, this initiative manifests a sustainable program under the auspices of PT Astra International, Tbk. Part of the company's CSR, the DSA program aims to advance four main pillars, including Astra Sehat (health), Astra Hijau (environment), Astra Cerdas (education), and Astra Kreatif (entrepreneurship). Villages and communities alike can expect to be prosperous in the DSA, just like Pondok Fathul Ulum.

On Integrated Farming System

While it was not anticipated, the santripreneur and pesantrenpreneur program has also scored a meaningful success when Fathul Ulum won third place in the 2019 KBANNOVATION that adopted ”Inovasi Kita, Inspirasi Negeri” (Our Innovation Inspires the Nation) as the theme.

With every progress they make, Rizki got even more committed to devising a concept of santripreneur and pesantrenpreneur to make the students embrace entrepreneurial skills and the pesantren be economically empowered. More to the point, Rizki made it clear to include sociopreneurs in the program with hopes that students' business activities will benefit people living in the immediate vicinity of the pesantren. 

That is what sparked the making of a business group named Kelompok Santri Tani Milenial (KTSM) in Fathul Ulum. In conjunction with the pesantren, Rizki has been determined to launch a program of eco-friendly farming known as the Integrated Farming System/IFS). In this system, KTSM combines agriculture, fishery, husbandry, and the environment. 

Producing organic fertilizers means saving money and making soil healthy. (Photo credit: Kukuh Bhimo Nugroho)

For instance, waste from the catfish ponds is channeled to fertilize the plants they grow. In addition, they chop sorghum stalks to feed the livestock. This waste processing provides valuable benefits in terms of environmental care and economic empowerment. Not only are organic fertilizers and manure good for the soil, but also save money hence supporting the pesantren's financial independence.

Continuous support

With an area of 2,5 hectares, the pesantren allows the students to currently raise 250 broiler ducks, 30 goats, 16 beef cattle, and a variety of fish in 40 biofloc ponds. Some santris also grow tomatoes, chilies, eggplants, cabbage, durian and sengon nurseries. They normally work two hours in the morning before the class and two more hours in the afternoon. This way they learn the habit of working in addition to religious studies. 

Finally, when they graduate one day, they will receive some money to aid their business venture. Whatever business they may embark on, the KSTM will fully support them financially and provide them with the necessary skills. Rizki and Mr. Amin would like to see santris reigning to society with economic independence, not the other way around. 

Being economically productive is good for santris. (Photo credit: Ponpes Fathul Ulum)

They must develop self-confidence and self-worth as proud santris who can contribute spiritually and economically to the society where they live. Mr. Amin feels obliged to ensure that his students are economically independent so that they would not trade their teaching or preaching for money. Getting paid for what they teach or preach is fine, but charging particular rates for any religious service would be abominable.

From Rizki Hamdani we learn that students in pesantren do not necessarily end up a burden to their parents when returning home and focusing only on teaching Islamic values to the society. They have the same privilege to thrive financially from any business enterprises they have undertaken since their stay in the boarding school. Rizki has also taught us that farming is still promising and that local treasures, such as sorghum, can help us sustain today's life and assure food security in the future for our beloved Indonesia.  

Following the story of Maya Stolastika Boleng reminds me of a book I once read titled Menciptakan Kesempatan Rakyat Berusaha. The book is written by Pak Bus, a nickname for Dr. B.S. Kusmuljono who is an expert in microfinance, financial management, and sustainable development. One of the chapters in the book highlights the advantages of organic farming.  Organic farming tends to be ignored due to the assumption that natural wealth is so abundant that humans can adopt limitless consumption.

The fact is that there is no such thing as unlimited natural resources. As the population increases, immediate measures have to be taken to save the earth in order to continually serve our needs properly. If we opt for being greedy and exploitative, then destruction is inevitable. The UN estimates that the world population today amounts to 8 billion people and the number is expected to increase to 9.8 billion by 2050. What will likely occur if the natural resources are not commensurate with the growing population?

Organic vegetables are healthier for consumption and higher profit for farmers. (Personal doc)

That makes organic farming a logical preference. Pak Bus further suggests in his book that organic farming cultivation is more economical because it uses local seeds, compost, and natural pesticides. This type of farming also saves water and helps maintain the soil nutrients. Quite the opposite, inorganic farming comes with high production costs due to the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides in order that crop production levels be maintained but with an increasingly high risk of agricultural land damage.

From English learning to organic farming

Maya Stolastika Boleng is a truly inspiring person. This young woman from East Flores has dedicated herself to helping local farmers in Claket, a village in Pacet, Mojokerto, East Java. Through her passion for organic farming, she decided to venture into eco-farming which generates income for the people where she lives.

Purwati is a name worth mentioning. The 42-year-old woman is a happy member of Kelompok Tani Madani as she confessed to receiving huge benefits from joining the farmers' group under Maya’s assistance. In addition to gaining knowledge on organic farming, Purwati has the opportunity to earn extra money from what she does.

She said that the money she collects from selling organic vegetables has helped with her family's economy. “I can use the money for daily expenses as well as my kid’s allowance.”

She also claimed to have practiced organic farming at home. She grows a number of vegetables organically in her yard so that her neighbors would join her in organic farming that proves to be productive. The more people who follow the movement, the merrier Maya have been.

But her journey was clearly not an odyssey of celebrated heroines normally found in dramatized movies. Neither was it an instant success one could easily dream of. Maya had to struggle for years to promote organic farming before local people were willing to join her all along. She confidently informed them that this type of farming would be able to save the planet while providing economic significance.

Back then, Maya was actually studying English literature at Universitas Negeri Surabaya (Unesa). She started to develop an affinity for organic farming when she was taking a yoga class on campus. The session left her to realize the importance of life balance.

When resistance was met with persistence

Her penchant for healthier farming grew even stronger when she met a nun in Claket. The nun voluntarily taught her about organic farming which made Maya determined to farm organically since 2008. It was not until 2017 that she began to encourage people in the village. She was speaking to 40 local farmers about organic farming but only five of them were enthusiastic about the newly introduced way of farming. 

Despite the negative response, she wouldn’t give up hope. Instead of feeling discouraged, she continued to teach about organic farming as a way to improve the agricultural land that has long been dependent on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. She simply understood that their resistance is due to a lack of understanding about the benefits of organic farming both from economic and health perspectives.

“I want to contribute to the environmental improvement. This way I can have healthier agricultural lands,” said she with self-assurance.

She would not stop just because she was met with resistance. Her commitment to organic farming has made Maya let go of a job offer from a German company of organic products soon after her graduation in 2011. While living in a rural area over the fancy life of Surabaya was quite challenging, standing before her parents on her decision was even harder. Luckily, they agreed to let her work on what she loves instead of taking a job in line with her college major.

Her persistence finally paid off. From one group named Kelompok Tani Madani founded in 2017, Maya could have two more groups including Kelompok Tani Swadaya and Kelompok Mia Tani. While Kelompok Tani Madani is the first group that practiced organic farming in the village, the other two are assigned to grow different produce.

Kelompok Tani Swadaya will be working on blackberry and raspberry whereas Kelompok Mia Tani on strawberry. More to the point, the produce by these groups is free from pesticides and chemical fertilizers. The vegetables grown in the local fields are cultivated using eco-friendly fertilizers, i.e. manure and compost. Farmers in the village are also trained to grow particular flowers to keep pests away.

Longer but more profitable 

Maya recounted that organic farming is absent from intervention in terms of growth acceleration and harvest time. This results in a longer time to harvest for organic farming as compared to conventional type. Carrots, for instance, that are grown conventionally will be ready for harvest in three months. In contrast, similar plants grown organically will need six months before they are ready for harvest.

Maya chose to sell her products directly to consumers (Doc. jabar.viva.co.id)

Since local farmers under Maya’s guidance have produced quality vegetables, the sale is lucrative. In preference to middlemen, Maya and her groups chose to bypass the chain of distribution by founding Twelve’s Organic to sell their products. Farmers only grow and sort their vegetables. As for packaging and distributing the products to the consumers, there will be a marketing team in charge. Young farmers are assigned to assist her in marketing and distribution.

Most sales are made directly through WhatsApp. In addition to serving 90 loyal consumers, Twelve’s Organic also supplies organic vegetables to two supermarkets and two restaurants in Surabaya. Harvested twice a week, the vegetables collected amount to 20 kilograms of various types. As for the price, they are relatively costlier than those grown conventionally. The cost of organic products is three times more than conventional farming would make for one kilogram.

With this method of selling, higher profit can be made. Farmers will collect different amounts of money based on how much vegetables they can harvest and sell. To make it more appealing, consumers are invited to feel the garden fresh market experience. In this regard, they are offered to pick the vegetables they desire right in the garden. They may come and get Twelve’s Organic products as they please. The vegetables are then cleaned, weighed, and paid for.

Astra’s appreciation for outstanding dedication

The concept of a fresh market has turned out to be favorable to the consumers. While enjoying organic vegetables, they also have the opportunity to learn organic farming in Twelve’s Organic which proves to be healthier. No wonder students of various universities come to become interns on the premises.

In honor of Maya’s contribution to the economic opportunity for local farmers as well as her passion for environmental protection, PT Astra International, Tbk awarded her SATU Indonesia Awards in 2019. She was named one of the recipients of the prestigious awards for the environmental category.

From Maya’s incredible story, we can deduce that hard work never fails to reward us. No matter how trivial a work may be, what matters is that we carry on despite any refusals or oppositions. A popular English idiom might be perfect to end this article. No pain no gain, that’s what we should focus on. There is no easy way to succeed. In order to make progress, we must be ready to suffer and work hard. 

Maya Stolastika Boleng has made it clear that every struggle will finally pay off. With her practice of organic farming, local farmers are improved economically and the environment is protected so that we can live on a safer planet and eat healthier food. Indonesian youngsters should look up to Maya and dare to embrace a similar journey for a better Indonesia in the future.   

It was shocking when Microsoft launched the Digital Civility Index (DCI) report. The report is based on a survey of over 16,000 online respondents in 32 countries, including 503 from Indonesia. It was controversial as Indonesian netizens are said to rank the lowest in terms of the degree of urbanity across 2020. When communicating online, they are deemed the most impolite in Southeast Asia, something we may find it hard to accept.

Heri optimistically nurtures young minds. (Photo credit: jateng.idntimes.com)

It is debatable whether it is a clear-cut fact or a false data. The truth is that literacy has to be implemented more intensively all over the archipelago. Books and literary activities are of paramount importance to have a civilized country. Not only does increased literacy lead to one’s improved skills but also opens up opportunities for innovation and creativity. That is what Heri takes into consideration. He doesn’t believe that Indonesian young minds lack interest in books. 

Providing access to reading

What actually happens is that access to books has been difficult for many reasons. In response to the need for children and young people alike to love more and enjoy books, Heri Chandra Santoso then took his best friend Sigit Susanto to found KLM which stands for Komunitas Lereng Medini. Established in 2008, the name of the community refers to Medini, a highland that surrounds Boja, Kendal, Central Java. 

It is hoped that the community will encourage young people in the area to enjoy reading and absorbing literary works. They are expected to forge themselves through creative activities, both in writing and analyzing, in all types of genres. More interaction with books means more values and humility to be instilled.

The embryo of KLM is a chit-chat among three people attending a literary event called “Parade Obrolan Sastra” held on 3-11 May 2008 in Pondok Maos Guyub where Sigit is the owner. Back then, Heri was in charge of Pondok Baca Ajar whereas Nurhadi was a teacher as well as an activist in Tetas community.

Heri recounted, “We were chatting about the urgency of a forum or public space that allows visitors of Guyub library and literary enthusiasts in Boja to share (about literacy).”

Heri decided to invite a number of friends to gather on 3 August 2008. They are those who are used to doing literary or literacy-based activities held by Pondok Maos Guyub and Pondok Baca Ajar. These attendants are the very members that make up the first generation of KLM. 

Since the collections in those libraries are mostly books on literature, both by Indonesian and foreign authors, Heri suggested that members love reading in the first place before enjoying literary works. To make this happen, members of KLM are engaged in a reading forum where they read and discuss a literary book collectively.

"Before studying literature, we introduce them to reading,” said Heri.

Nurturing young generations

With KLM, Heri would like to assert that literature is not specially reserved for city people nor elitists on campus. This highlights that literary works should be accessible to people in rural areas instead of merely men of letters. Villagers shouldn't be deprived of literary joy simply because resources are meager.

Heri when reciting a poem in attendance of Remy Sylado (Doc. jejakliterasi.id)

That is why Komunitas Lereng Medini (KLM) continues to promote the awareness that it is an open community where everyone–especially young learners in the villages–can stand optimistic through any literary activities. They may look up to the rising Medini with a vast tea plantation which has been a genuine inspiration to people in even the remotest corner of the villages to grow affinity for literary learning.

The community is inclusive regardless of age or social status. Students, teachers, and everyone who wishes to study literature, through writing and appreciation, then KLM is the answer for them to strive to become creative individuals. So to say, the general public should feel free to join any KLM program without reluctance since reading books, knowledge, and literary joy are not exclusive.

In this particular way, a reading group every Saturday afternoon is always packed with KLM members in which they discuss and explore literary works without the rush to complete or compete. In addition to the general public, participants include elementary, junior, senior, and university students. In addition, the general public is also taking part in the weekly program.

Literary Camp with famous authors

One of the most distinguished programs in KLM is Literary Camp held annually as a cultural gathering in an attempt to build spiritual friendship between individuals and communities. This is where germination takes place that is when participants learn and understand literature with honesty and modesty. 

The camp provides ample opportunity for writers and authors to share experiences, where beginners learn from accomplished authors in a nurturing manner. With this in mind, those who are novices can gain knowledge and insight from experienced authors in a casual chat without barriers or detachment.  

Author Eka Kurniawan among presenters in KLM activities (Doc. amanat.id)

The third chapter of Literary Camp held from 12 to 14 May 2017 should be highlighted. With “Misteri Alam dalam Narasi Sastra” (Mystery of Nature in Literary Narration) as the theme, the camp invited Eka Kurniawan, an established author in the spotlight both nationally and internationally in virtue of his highly acclaimed novels Lelaki Harimau and Cantik Itu Luka which have been translated into several foreign languages.

Kendal Novel Award and local wisdom

One of Heri's long-term goals with KLM that finally came true is the fulfillment of the Kendal Novel Award 2022. Before the awarding of the best novelist, KLM held a theater workshop from 8 to 9 October 2022 in Rumah Kebun Sastra Guyub, Boja as well as a weekend residency from 29 to 30 October 2022 at the Teras Budaya Prof. Mudjahirin Thohir in Sabrang Lor, Kutoharjo, Kaliwungu subdistrict.

“We would like to care for aspiring authors and established writers here di Kendal that we consider having scarce opportunity to express, let alone get motivated,” said Heri who was assigned as the head of the Kendal Novel Award 2022.

Yozar F. Amrullah with his etawa goat prize (Doc. objektif.id)

What's primarily striking is that the prizes for the winners of the novel writing competition take the form of live animals instead of cash or fancy gadgets normally offered in similar contests. The first winner was Yozar F. Amrullah from Cepiring who brought home an Etawa crossbreed goat as the prize.   

Heri claimed that the goat is so far the icon of the Kendal Novel Award. He further suggested that winning prizes can also accommodate the local wisdom rooted in local potential. Kendal is a regency known for its Edupark Tourism of Etawa Crossbreed Goat, precisely located in Jungsemi Village Tourism.

Wakul Pustaka to contribute strategically (Doc. KLM)

Another form of local wisdom that KLM accommodates is Wakul Pustaka literally meaning library basket. Wakul is a Javanese word for rice basket made of bamboo. Wakul is selected as it contains local values. The basket serves as a multifunctional tool in the household. Whether to contain rice or to keep washed vegetables, wakul is no longer popular today with the rise of the magic jar or rice cooker.  

What makes us human

What happens now is wakule ngglimpang, that's how Heri and his team put it. Wakul has been overturned as if resembling traditional farmers who are marginalized due to the onslaught of modern development that encroaches on their agricultural lands. In this sense, wakul is a symbol of local wisdom that fights against the all-digital culture. It also symbolizes the need for nutritional intake of knowledge from reading books (literacy) rather than merely intake of physical satiety.  

“However, we are all aware and understand our position. Literature is not yet a vital issue for most people. The revolution is so far about feeding the belly. We have therefore never expected more.”

The exciting gathering in the Literary Camp (Doc. mojok.co)

In conclusion, with KLM Heri has never pretended to produce famous authors or artists. They don't develop a grandiose dream of taking local youngsters to become established writers on a national scale. When more people read books (including literary works), they couldn't be happier. They will be even happier when more kids in the villages know poetry and folk tales. When children rejoice in books, that is but a true blessing and fulfillment. 

Heri naturally wants to make it public that there is something equally important with food, clothes, and homes, i.e. literature. If those three are primarily to fulfill our physical needs, then literature fulfills our spiritual and inner needs. Quoting the versatile author Remy Sylado, what differentiates humans from animals is that the latter don't appreciate literature.

From a coffeetalk in Surabaya held by Bank Indonesia back in July 2023, I learned that Indonesia's coffee is among the best commodities in the world. The coffee is special due to its various growing fields across the archipelago. The Robusta, for example, will likely taste different when grown in different areas. To penetrate the global market, however, quality has to be assured to go with the uniqueness.

Coffee for prosperity (Photo credit: Astra)

That is what Achmad Sofiyudin is concerned about and finally encouraged to act. This farmer from Muncar has been genuinely supporting environmental care since 2016 and made every effort to initiate a community-based tourism village where he lives. What attracts him the most is coffee beans.

Nicknamed Sofi, he is especially interested in promoting local coffee to reach a wider market in hopes of gaining economic prosperity for fellow farmers in the village. His hard work paid off when he was awarded the prestigious Satu Indonesia Awards in 2017 for his valuable contribution to environmental preservation (including coffee growing) while taking local people to join in the activity.

The opportunity opened up when Astra named Muncar one of its assisted villages in the Desa Sejahtera Astra (DSA) program in 2018. This is a manifestation of Astra’s sustainable contribution to the country through Corporate Social Responsibility. The program is aimed at empowering local people in the villages with entrepreneurship based on their potential. Astra’s assistance includes training, facilities, funding, and product marketing.  

Coffee for prosperity

Located in the Gemawang subdistrict, Temanggung regency, Central Java, Muncar is a village that has top-quality Robusta beans in abundance known all over the province. Not only is the coffee favorable in the local market but also famous in Europe, i.e. the Netherlands.

"Coffee farmers here used to pick beans unselectively. Green beans are harvested and sold as is despite the low price, costing IDR 20,000 to 26,000. What matters is that they made money back then," said Sofi in a workshop on the environment held virtually by Astra in November 2021.

Muncar is indeed a bountiful village where everyone can witness true beauty all over the area. This is by virtue of three mountains in the vicinity: Sindoro, Sumbing, and Prau. Sofi might see what others couldn’t see: the huge potential of local coffee. He started cultivating coffee from growing, caring for, and harvesting to processing the bean using international processing standards.  

Coffee farmers in Muncar (Photo credit: jateng.tribunnews.com)

Asking people to join him in growing coffee was apparently no easy task. Most people in the village make money from “mblandong” (collecting logs from the nearby forests) or being labor in factories. To his call, some obeyed and some ignored. Growing coffee was not a considerable choice for them. He was resolute in his decision to plant as many coffee trees as possible. It is this determination that led him to receive the SATU Indonesia Awards in the first place.

When Muncar became one of the Astra-assisted villages in 2018, Sofi was assigned to be the facilitator in the DSA. While more coffee trees are grown and the processing is improved, the promotion of Muncar’s Robusta coffee is intensively carried out. The product soon attracted buyers to order due to the tasty coffee with premium quality. 

More villagers are attracted to growing coffee. (Photo credit: finance.detik.com)

Sofi claimed that coffee production has boosted the local economy. Owing to good management and better processing. The price of Muncar coffee can score at least IDR 40,000 per kilogram as compared to IDR 20,000 before Astra's assistance. No wonder that residents in the area who were reluctant are beginning to cultivate coffee as well. They believe coffee equals prosperity.  

As the name suggests, Muncar has finally become a desa sejahtera (prosperous village) on account of the Robusta coffee and single-origin Arabica Petaranga which have become mainstay commodities. The product has proven to be profitable both in the national market and in foreign countries such as the Netherlands.

Eco-friendly tourism that celebrates local treasures

In response to the huge potential market of Muncar's coffee, Sofi and his DSA decided to launch a series of coffee-based activities including the Muncar Moncer Coffee Trip where tourists will be taken to tour the coffee plantation. Wearing caping (wooden cap) and tenggok (a small basket made of wood to contain the harvested coffee bean), they will be invited to delight in the sensation of eating together and sipping a cup of coffee in the midst of the plantation while watching the process of coffee making.

Tourists delight in the local food during a special trip in Muncar (Photo credit: jadesta.kemenparekraf)

Muncar got more in the spotlight when the Coffee Harvest Festival of Sang Intan Merah Bumi Phala was held in 2019. In addition, the Central Java-DIY Barista Brewing Competition and the Muncar Fun Brewing V60 Competition have also gained massive public attention, especially from coffee aficionados. Two of these events are already in the Calendar of Events (CoE) which are held annually every July and August. 

The positive phenomenon confirms that people in Muncar, Temanggung, have benefited a lot from coffee, both socially and economically. What's more important, Muncar has successfully morphed into an outstanding ecotourism destination village where domestic and foreign tourists are swarming the area to stimulate the local economy. 

By ecotourism, Muncar offers eco-friendly tourism activities that celebrate local treasures, including cultural wisdom. In this regard, DSA Muncar combines aspects of natural conservation and socio-cultural and economic empowerment while also accommodating learning and education aspects. Children and younger generations alike will also benefit from this type of tourism.

Muncar, an ecotourism village that generates profit (Photo credit: jadesta.kemenparekraf)

From coffee to creative economy

As more and more tourists are coming to the village, the creative economy is starting to grow. While coffee remains a primary commodity, the production of other local food is also developed. In addition to ant sugar, visitors can enjoy palm sugar, klanceng honey, and various keripiks (chip) including banana chips, debok (banana bark) chips, coffee leaves chips and taro chips. Other commodities that celebrate local treasures include vanilla, clove, cubeb, and plantains while also promoting fisheries and animal husbandry.

What made Muncar even more alluring to visit is the Curug Lawe, a 250-meter waterfall in an exotic pine forest that exudes its tropical elegance. Of course, another spot that tourists can't miss is the Blawong hamlet that once went viral on social media and was dubbed the “Korea van Java”. Situated in a valley fault, the hamlet rises above the fog among hills that it is a perfect haven for everyone to enjoy the beautiful sunrise while sipping Muncar's distinguished coffee. 

Under the auspices of Astra, Sofi asserts that local people have improved economically. From coffee cultivation, for example, one farmer in the village can make at least IDR 30 million a year. That is a substantial number to note as opposed to the previous coffee sale that tended to be meager. 

Muncar's coffee that rises to fame (Doc. Muncar Moncer)

Since its inception as a DSA in 2018, a dramatic change has occurred in Muncar. There were initially 200 people taking part in coffee cultivation, and the number exploded in 2021 amounting to 5,500 people. Labor absorption also increased drastically from 20 people to 80 people. With the DSA, Sofi is committed to making Temanggung rise up. With the strong will and hard work of local people and Astra's assistance, every goal is possible.

To respond to the increasing demand for the Robusta coffee, Astra has decided to expand to more villages to be DSAs. There were only three villages that partnered with Astra back then and now there are 14 villages.

Head of Corporate Communications PT Astra International Tbk, Boy Kelana Soebroto put it this way.

"Overall up to 2021, Astra has presented various programs through 930 DSAs to 104,311 people throughout Indonesia, opened up employment opportunities for 16,345 people, and increased the average income by 70% all over Indonesia.

Muncar has identified itself as being moncer, an Indonesian word for shining with brilliance or magnificence. Being an Astra-assisted village, Muncar has successfully integrated the potential of beautiful nature with agro-tourism that results in benefits generation for many people owing to coffee and local richness.

Eco-friendly products are becoming more relevant in today's world. The planet is suffering from environmental damage and immediate actions are to be taken. While people aim to obtain profit from economic activities, they're more concerned about environmental protection. That's why lantung fabric is special owing to its sustainability that challenges the fast fashion industry.

Fast fashion gains its momentum when social media is favorable to modern people. The rise of TikTok has undeniably opposed the traditional market since the latter offers higher prices. TikTok shop has made a lot of fancy products accessible to potential buyers with a few swipes and taps at unbelievably affordable prices.

Photo: Semilir Youtube

The phenomenon clearly gets the economy to roll but at the same time presents a new problem. More and more stuff is purchased due to its affordability but ignores durability and thus sustainability. With low-quality fabrics, clothes have begun to pile up in many households even before their first use.

On lantung fabric

Lantung is especially connected to Bengkulu, a province in Sumatra. People were both socially and economically deprived during the colonized years in the area. Not only were local people terribly suppressed, but they were unable to buy appropriate clothes so they turned to bark for clothing. The bark was chosen as it was widely available in Bengkulu owing to its vast forests.

To be an ideal fabric, quality bark should be obtained from trees that are at least ten years old in age. The selected trees are then cut down and chopped. After the outer layer of the bark is peeled, the internal layer (with a softer texture) is used to make the fabric. 

Peeling is a vital stage in preparing the bark for fabric (Photo: Semilir Youtube)

In the initial stage, the bark is pounded consistently using a tool called perikai. The tool is normally made of buffalo horn or hardwood. The pounding is done continuously until the bark becomes thin, large, flat, and soft. The pounded bark is then aired for approximately two weeks before it is ready for production.

Alfira's Semilir Ecoprint that empowers

People in Bengkulu wouldn't allow the local treasure of lantung fabric to disappear. Even when Indonesia has gained independence, local people continued to preserve the traditional way of fabric making in honor of historical value. More to the point, lantung fabric was declared the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Warisan Budaya from Bengkulu.

Among those who care for the local treasure is Alfira Oktaviani. Driven by a sustainable lifestyle, this woman from Yogyakarta initiated the making of Semilir Ecoprint in 2018. She argued that semilir derives from the Javanese word “silir” which literally means a cool breeze. The brand is so named with the hope every product she makes conforms to environmental values while helping local people economically. With Semilir Ecoprint, happiness will be for human beings and the planet as well.

Alfira in search of unique patterns in nature (Photo: Semilir Youtube)

As for Ecoprint, it is a technique of printing and dying with the use of natural materials including parts of plants that contain color pigments such as leaves, flowers, twigs, and bark. With this method, Alfira is trying to communicate with the whole world that the exotic color of lantung fabric made of organic elements does have an outstanding look. She suggests that sustainable fashion that promotes eco-friendliness is possible while also making a profit.

Semilir Ecoprint has made it clear that local richness, i.e. that found in Bengkulu, Indonesia, can be made into consumers' products in the form of kebaya, outerwear, handcrafted wallets, and a variety of astonishing accessories. With this business type in practice, we can expect greenhouse gas emissions to decrease in the coming years. It is said that the fast fashion industry has resulted in 1.2 billion tonnes annually, exceeding the emissions caused by the maritime industry and international aviation.

Distinguished award

Alfira will continue to spread the message of eco-fashion while making every effort to hold workshops and join exhibitions to empower others in the spirit of environmental protection. Semilir Ecoprint is committed to helping other SMEs and housewives in particular to engage in producing sustainable products, including fashion. 

Her commitment and dedication have led her to the reception of a distinguished award from PT Astra International, Tbk. For the sake of the beauty of lantung fabric from Bengkulu that she preserves as a local treasure, she was awarded the Satu Indonesia Award in 2022 highlighting her as an inspiring figure in entrepreneurship.