Syngenta strengthens empowerment of women farmers for food security
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Syngenta Indonesia is strengthening the empowerment of women farmers in Batang Regency, Central Java, to increase productivity and support sustainable national food self-sufficiency and food security.
Syngenta Indonesia President Director Eryanto said the effort was carried out through the launch of the Perempuan Tani Syngenta Raih Impian (PUTRI) Petani MAJU community in Batang.
“PUTRI Petani MAJU is a platform for empowerment that will serve as a catalyst for the transformation of Indonesia’s agricultural sector. This community emphasises the strategic role of resilient, consistent, and impactful women in agriculture,” Eryanto said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He explained that the community would serve as an umbrella for all matters relating to women heroes who serve in the agricultural sector and bring the Petani MAJU vision to life.
“When we train one woman, we empower one family. When we empower PUTRI PETANI MAJU, we empower the entire Indonesian nation,” Eryanto said.
The launch was attended by 450 women farmers, local government officials, Syngenta Indonesia management, Syngenta Crop Protection President Steve Hawkins, and Syngenta regional leaders.
The community launch was marked by the reading of a declaration by three women farmer representatives, followed by a gejog lesung procession symbolising mutual cooperation, togetherness, hard work, patience, and hope for a sustainable life — values that form the foundation of PUTRI Petani MAJU.
The launch coincided with the designation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
“This affirms global recognition of the vital role of women in agriculture, food security, and nutrition,” Eryanto said.
According to the company’s 2025 data, the number of women farmers in Indonesia reaches 4.2 million. They play an important role in the agricultural sector and in supporting national food security.
Eryanto noted that women farmers are actively involved from upstream to downstream activities, including seed selection, cultivation, harvesting, and processing of harvested produce. However, only 10-20 per cent have limited access to agricultural inputs, technology, finance, knowledge, and markets, which affects productivity levels.
He cited FAO data estimating that crop yields could increase by up to 30 per cent if women farmers were given equal access to technology and resources — a significant figure in supporting the government’s food security programme.
Furthermore, Eryanto said appreciation for women farmers in terms of wages still needs to be championed. In some areas, there remains a wage gap between women and men farmers.
Women farm labourers tend to be paid less than their male counterparts for the same type of work and working hours. This disparity affects the welfare levels of women farmers.
Joint efforts and sustained multi-stakeholder collaboration between the government, private sector, and communities are needed to empower women farmers.
“Syngenta, as a global leader in agricultural innovation, strives to improve the welfare of smallholder farmers and lead the way towards inclusive agriculture,” Eryanto explained.
Through PUTRI Petani MAJU, Eryanto added, Syngenta is committed to supporting the empowerment of women farmers to increase productivity and the sustainability of agricultural systems in Indonesia, which will bring significant change to national food self-sufficiency and food security.
Annisa, a women farmer representative who attended the PUTRI Petani MAJU launch, warmly welcomed the community as a concrete step in empowering women in the agricultural sector.
She expressed appreciation for Syngenta Indonesia’s efforts in promoting the role of women farmers, while affirming that women farmers have a special and strategic role as pillars of food security for both families and the nation.
“Women farmers should not feel inferior because we are special and extraordinary. Women farmers are not only pillars of food security for our families but also for the nation,” Annisa said.