Mesuji, March 5, 2024 – PT Umas Jaya Agrotama (UJA), a business unit of Great Giant Foods (GGF), successfully carried out the first harvest of its Cassava Partnership Program in Bukoposo Village, Way Serdang District, Mesuji Regency. This initiative is part of the company’s Creating Shared Value (CSV) program, in collaboration with the Mesuji Regency Government and the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia.
The harvest ceremony was attended by representatives from the Ministry, Lampung Province, and Mesuji Regency Government, alongside farmer groups and community leaders.
Director of Planning for the Realization of Transmigration Areas, Bambang Widyatmiko, emphasized the importance of this milestone:
“This cassava partnership program is the first of its kind in Indonesia. If it proves successful, it will be scaled up to involve more farmers across the country. Mesuji was chosen because of its proximity to PT UJA, ensuring easier assistance and supervision.”
As part of the partnership, PT UJA provides farmers with interest-free financing, technical guidance, and guaranteed market access as the offtaker. Local village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) also play a role as operational facilitators, helping ensure smooth coordination on the ground.
According to PT UJA Production Head Ammar Viko Wicaksono, the program has already shown significant impact.
“Before this partnership, yields averaged only 20 tonnes per hectare. With proper support and cultivation, the first harvest reached an estimated 32 tonnes per hectare—an increase of around 10 tonnes.”
The cassava cultivated under this program currently covers 8 hectares of land with a planting period of 8–9 months. Beyond financial support, farmers receive access to improved seeds, fertilizers, and modern cultivation techniques to boost productivity and quality.
Assistant for Economic Affairs and Development of the Mesuji Regional Secretariat, Indra Kusuma Wijaya, representing Acting Regent Sulpakar, expressed appreciation:
“The CSV program creates shared value between companies, communities, and the government. Hopefully, this first harvest becomes a strong foundation to improve the economy of our farmers and expand cassava production in Mesuji.”
The cassava partnership reflects PT UJA’s broader commitment under GGF to empower rural communities through sustainable agriculture. Similar CSV initiatives have been implemented successfully with banana cultivation in regions such as Lampung, East Java, Bali, Aceh, and West Java.
