Mentoring Programme Helps Farmers Step Up, Turning Poor Harvests into Rp90 Million a Year in Profit

A 33-year-old farmer, Suyanto, never expected the watermelons on land that once nearly drove his farmers’ group to give up to become a stable source of income. Together with the Sumpal Palawija Makmur Farmers Group in Tampang Baru Village, Bayung Lincir District, South Sumatra, Suyanto has managed to secure revenue of up to Rp90 million. ‘Previously we had sunk because our harvests were not optimal,’ Suyanto said during a discussion at the IPA Convex 2026 event, ICE BSD, Tangerang, on Wednesday (20 May 2026). They had not understood good cultivation methods. Capital was also limited. The marketing network for harvests was still narrow. The problem began to be addressed after PT Medco Energi International Tbk, or MedcoEnergi, through its subsidiary Medco E&P Grissik Ltd, provided mentoring. Suyanto said MedcoEnergi’s mentoring since late 2023 has brought a major change in how the group manages farming. Farming, which had previously been done in a limited and traditional way, is now starting to apply more targeted cultivation techniques. As a result, Suyanto and the group members have earned tens of millions of rupiah in two years. Group revenue continues to rise. It was around Rp4 million in 2023, then rose to Rp15 million in 2024, and reached around Rp90 million in 2025. ‘After the mentoring from MedcoEnergi, we better understood good cultivation, yields have improved, and the markets are broader. This programme has helped us rise again and given us the confidence to grow the business,’ Suyanto said.