PTPN I and Bappenas Accelerate Welfare-Based Plantation Downstreaming in East Java

PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) I (Persero) and the Ministry of National Development Planning (PPN/Bappenas) are accelerating the national plantation sector’s downstream agenda through a strategic collaboration to develop coconut, coffee, and cocoa commodities, integrated with strengthening the social welfare of workers and the community. This strategic step was realised through a field review by PTPN I President Director Teddy Yunirman Danas together with the Bappenas Coconut Downstreaming Programme Planning and Acceleration Task Force team at PTPN I Regional 5, Kalisat Jampit Estate, Banyuwangi, East Java, on Saturday (27/6). The field agenda is a concrete implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties to accelerate the increase in added value of plantation commodities downstream to support national economic independence. On the occasion, the Head of the Bappenas Coconut Downstreaming Task Force, Sukmo Harsono, represented by the Minister’s Special Assistant and task force secretariat representative Dwija Pratama, together with development partners, carried out a series of activities including a joint coffee harvest, distribution of social care programmes, and the handover of employment social security rights. The company’s concern for the environment surrounding its operations was implemented through the provision of compensation packages to 11 impoverished individuals and 5 orphans living in the area around the estate. In addition, PTPN I management together with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan symbolically handed over Death Benefit (JKM), Old Age Benefit (JHT), and scholarship compensation totalling Rp150.8 million to the heirs of an employee named Maryantono from PTPN I Kalisat Jampit Estate. PTPN I President Director Teddy Yunirman Danas stressed that plantation sector development must not rely solely on economic aspects, but must run in harmony with social and humanitarian dimensions. “Plantation downstreaming must go hand in hand with strengthening community welfare and protection for workers. Through this activity, PTPN I affirms its commitment to continue delivering real benefits to the environment around the estate, in line with the One PTPN One Culture spirit that upholds the values of care, mutual cooperation, and sustainability,” said Teddy. Teddy added that the distribution of compensation to residents around the estate’s operations is the company’s effort to maintain harmonious relations with the community. Meanwhile, the synergy with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan is proof that social security protection for plantation workers is a top management priority to provide a sense of security. The coffee harvest moment at Kalisat Jampit Estate also symbolised the successful management of PTPN I Regional 5’s flagship commodity. This area is known as a centre for producing high-quality coffee with great potential to be integrated into the downstreaming programme. Meanwhile, Bappenas Coconut Downstreaming Task Force representative Dwija Pratama expressed his appreciation for PTPN I’s commitment to overseeing the government’s inclusive downstreaming agenda. According to him, PTPN I’s step in balancing corporate business growth with social protection and worker welfare aspects deserves to be made a national pilot project. “Bappenas greatly appreciates the real implementation by PTPN I (Persero) in the field. Downstreaming of plantation commodities will not achieve optimal goals without strengthening the social and community foundation around it. This synergy, which combines employment security and social care, proves that the transformation of the state-owned plantation industry can run in tandem with a commitment to the welfare of workers and local residents,” said Dwija Pratama. Through close collaboration between the government, state-owned enterprises, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, and the community, the national plantation ecosystem is expected to become stronger, more sustainable, and capable of delivering a broad positive impact for all stakeholders.