Dairi Prima Programme Elevates Value of Dairi Coffee to Durian
JAKARTA — The multinational mining company PT Dairi Prima Mineral (DPM) is beginning to strengthen the local economy in Dairi, North Sumatra, through the development of agribusiness based on the region’s flagship commodities.
The programme targets coffee, cocoa, and durian in the Sidikalang area—a region long known as a producer of high-quality robusta coffee. These efforts not only focus on production but are also directed towards increasing added value through processing and market access.
DPM’s Chief Legal & External Officer Radianto Arifin stated that the programme is designed with a comprehensive approach from upstream to downstream.
“Around 47 beneficiaries, consisting of coffee, cocoa, and durian farmer groups, as well as groups for developing coffee derivative products, will be part of the initial implementation phase,” Radianto said in an official statement on Sunday (26/4/2026).
According to him, Sidikalang’s potential extends beyond coffee. The area also holds significant opportunities to be developed as a centre for cocoa and durian, thereby strengthening the community’s economic base in a more diverse manner.
The programme will reach villages around the mining area and other potential regions, with a focus on boosting productivity through the application of good agricultural practices (GAP).
This approach is expected to enhance both the quality and volume of production, making local commodities more competitive in the market.
On the downstream side, DPM is promoting the processing of harvests into higher-value products. Post-harvest processes are being strengthened, including the development of coffee derivative products, so that farmers do not only sell raw materials.
This step also opens opportunities for integration with the national supply chain, thereby providing broader and more stable market access.
Radianto noted that the programme is being undertaken in collaboration with various stakeholders, from agriculture offices, field extension workers, village governments, to farmer groups and expert partners.
“To ensure optimal results, the company is also providing support in the form of production facilities, including special fertilisers and plant vitamins,” he said.
Short-term targets to economic transformation
In the short term, the company targets increasing the economic independence of programme participants, while strengthening the resilience of farmers’ households.
Looking ahead, DPM hopes this programme can encourage the emergence of new agribusiness actors at the local level, not just raw material farmers.
“This also proves that agriculture and mining can grow side by side and both provide economic benefits,” Radianto said.
He added that strengthening the agribusiness sector is also an initial step to reduce community dependence on the extractive sector, while promoting a more sustainable regional economic transformation.