Rezza's Protective Trees Business Supports Family and Creates Jobs
Rezza adheres to a simple principle in his protective tree business: if you have one, turn it into two. This approach has enabled his business to grow steadily over the past 12 years.
In a small shelter in the muddy rain-soaked plot, Rezza Agung Vahlevi recounted his business journey. The 29-year-old said he began working with plants as a teenager, following the trend in his community where most residents were plant traders.
“I started helping out even while in school, during holidays,” Rezza said.
Rezza was drawn to the business due to the promising profits from plant trading. He began operating on a small scale.
He said his business journey to sustainability has been a long process, starting from word-of-mouth sales to eventually renting a plot for Rp 6 million a year.
“As locals say, if you have one, make it two. Growth happens gradually,” Rezza said.
He explained that protective trees offer multiple benefits, from preventing soil erosion to shielding from the sun.
His stock includes Pule, Date Palm, Bodhi Tree, Fossil Frangipani, Sadeng Palm, and Water Pule, sourced from Banten, Central Java, and East Java.
Prices range from hundreds of thousands to millions of rupiah, with Pule trees being among the most expensive.
“Pule trees typically appeal to the middle to upper class,” Rezza added.
Prices do not include operational costs for transportation and planting.
Rezza explained the sales process begins with purchasing saplings from forests. Larger trees are then quarantined for two weeks to a month.
“Once leaves sprout, customers are more likely to buy. Without leaves, they lose interest due to high mortality risk,” he said.
“Some customers purchase trees along with planting services,” Rezza said.
“We sell the tree price separately from operational costs, depending on the tree’s size,” he explained.
He learned tree management through self-study, observing local traders who had been in the business longer.
“Over time, I became independent. It’s a passion,” he said.
Besides direct sales, Rezza uses social media and his own website to market his products.
Economic Impact of the Protective Trees Business
Rezza sells five to ten trees monthly, generating around Rp 10 million in profits.
Profits cover daily family needs and are reinvested into the business.
His family benefits directly from the business, ensuring daily needs are met.
“It’s very helpful, especially for my family. We never go hungry, and it covers school expenses and other needs. Thank God for this business,” he said.
Local residents also benefit, earning income by working for Rezza.
“It helps the community; those who were unemployed now have work,” he said.
He employs around nine locals, paying them approximately Rp 350,000 per day.
“One is full-time, while eight work freelance,” he said.
Rezza ships trees nationwide, with the farthest destinations being West Sumatra and Bali.
“Orders from outside the area are quite frequent,” he said.
BRI Loan Supports Expansion
After years in business, Rezza sought to expand his protective trees venture, applying for a BRI KUR (People’s Business Credit) loan.
He secured a Rp 100 million KUR loan repayable over three years, used to increase stock.
The additional capital has boosted his income, he said.
“It’s growing steadily. Thank God for the help,” he added.
Mohammad Irfansyah, BRI’s Sasak Panjang branch manager, said they offer support programs for SMEs and community businesses.
Irfan hopes Rezza’s business grows, increasing income and supporting local livelihoods.
Harianto, BRI Citayam Unit Head, explained BRI offers various financing programs including KUR, Kupedes, Kupedes Rakyat, and Briguna, tailored to each customer’s profile.
“We tailor it to the customer’s needs,” Harianto said.
He also detailed the credit application process handled through various BRI channels.
Credit applications are processed via the database pip