Strengthening Local Supply Chains: PepsiCo Indonesia Supports Industrial Potato Harvest in West Java
An industrial potato harvest was conducted by PepsiCo Indonesia alongside partner farmers and the Garut Regency Agriculture Office on Tuesday (8/9). The harvest results will be used as one of the main raw materials for producing Lay’s potato chips at the PepsiCo Indonesia factory located in Cikarang, West Java.
This industrial potato harvest marks an important milestone in PepsiCo Indonesia’s journey to build an industrial potato agricultural ecosystem in West Java, Indonesia, which began in 2024. Following the initial planting in November 2025, PepsiCo Indonesia has been continuously supporting farmers through capability development and the transfer of knowledge regarding the implementation of more productive and sustainable agricultural practices.
The industrial potato harvest ceremony is a significant achievement as it demonstrates how PepsiCo’s investment in Indonesia can create upstream-to-downstream connectivity. This process begins with farmers working alongside PepsiCo Indonesia to plant and develop industrial potatoes, leading to the processing of raw materials according to PepsiCo standards, which locally become Lay’s potato chips at the PepsiCo Indonesia factory.
The success of this programme is measured not only by the quantity and quality of the harvest but also by how PepsiCo Indonesia can continue to enhance farmer capabilities and build a resilient and sustainable industrial potato agricultural ecosystem.
The Secretary of the Garut Regency Agriculture Office, Dedi, stated that agriculture is a national strategic programme. Agricultural yields in Garut are one of the largest contributors to the economic growth rate in the Garut region.
“I am proud to hear that PepsiCo has provided coaching and education for farmers so that agricultural yields can be optimal and meet industrial expectations. Alhamdulillah, we feel very assisted by the presence of Pepsi/Co,” he asserted.
The series of inaugural harvest activities included visits to industrial potato fields in Garut, a harvest ceremony with farmers, and an inspection of the potato quality control process. This activity also served as an opportunity to introduce the development process of local industrial potatoes, from planting to their use as raw materials for Lay’s production. The entire process is aligned with the standards established by PepsiCo.
Ayok Nugroho, Director of Supply Chain at PepsiCo Indonesia, revealed that the industrial potato harvest from this programme will be processed into Lay’s potato chips at the PepsiCo Indonesia snack factory in Cikarang, West Java.
“Through this industrial potato farmer development programme, PepsiCo Indonesia hopes to create a sustainable positive impact for local farmers and the surrounding community. This initiative is expected to help increase the productivity of industrial potato farmers in West Java,” he added.
BUILDING THE CAPABILITY OF INDONESIAN FARMERS
PepsiCo has developed agricultural programmes for various commodities in over 6-0 countries. In line with the company’s global vision in agriculture, PepsiCo Indonesia has collaborated with farmer groups in West Java to develop industrial potato farming practices in Indonesia through various sustainable agricultural initiatives.
Through this series of activities, PepsiCo Indonesia seeks to contribute to the welfare of Indonesian farmers and strives to encourage a resilient, efficient, and sustainable local agricultural system.
The development of industrial potatoes in West Java is part of the Agriculture Development programme of PepsiCo Indonesia, which has been running since the company realised its investment in Indonesia. Several areas in West Java Province, such as Lembang, Cisarua, and Garut, are the company’s focus in developing sustainable industrial potato farming practices.
One of the local farmer empowerment initiatives routinely conducted by PepsiCo Indonesia is the “Lay’s Grower Connect” training programme.
Through this programme, PepsiCo Indonesia provides training and assistance to more than 200 farmers across various stages of industrial potato cultivation, including land preparation, planting techniques, crop maintenance, efficient use of fertilisers and pesticides, land management, and the harvesting process.
Assistance is provided regularly in every planting season, from pre-planting preparation through the growth period to the harvest. This end-to-end approach is designed to help farmers increase productivity, harvest quality, and efficiency in the use of agricultural inputs.
In addition to providing technical assistance, PepsiCo Indonesia also ensures that the potatoes planted and harvested by farmers meet the global quality standards required for industrial needs and Lay’s potato chip production.
COLLABORATION FOR THE FUTURE OF INDONESIAN AGRICULTURE
As part of the knowledge transfer effort, PepsiCo Indonesia also sent six representatives, including aggregators and partner farmers from West Java, to participate in a study visit to PepsiCo’s potato farms in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2025.
For nearly 30 years, PepsiCo has successfully built industrial potato farming in Thailand and helped improve the welfare of local farmers. During the visit, Indonesian farmers learned about seedling techniques, fertilisation, land management, and methods for increasing efficient and sustainable yields.
PepsiCo Indonesia will continue its agricultural development programme through technical assistance, farmer capacity building, and the development of farming practices that support productivity and sustainability.