Growing Together with Farmers: Why MEKAR Focuses on the Agricultural Sector

Amid the rapid growth of the digital economy, the agricultural sector continues to play a vital role in Indonesia’s economy. Beyond supporting national food security, it also serves as a primary source of livelihood for millions of people across the country. However, despite its significant potential, the sector still faces various challenges, ranging from limited access to financing and suboptimal productivity to the lack of sustainable support for farmers.

These challenges have encouraged PT Mekar Investama Teknologi (MEKAR) to strengthen its focus on the agricultural sector. For MEKAR, financing is not merely about providing access to capital, but about ensuring that financing is directly connected to production activities and delivers real impact on farmers’ welfare.

Through Mekar Asta Nusantara (MANU) as part of its ecosystem, MEKAR plays an active role in supporting land management, farmer assistance, and strengthening agricultural supply chains. This approach ensures that financing goes beyond capital access and contributes to improving productivity and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

The impact of this approach can be seen directly through the experiences of farmers on the ground. One example is Pak Andi, the Head of the Forest Farmer Group in Seputih Village, Jember, who has dedicated decades to agriculture and plantation activities. Together with fellow farmers in Seputih Village, Pak Andi is now a fostered partner and agent through Mekar Asta Nusantara (MANU), continuing efforts to build sustainable agriculture that prioritizes farmers’ welfare.

Currently, the farmer group led by Pak Andi manages approximately 17 hectares of land. Through collaboration with MANU, they receive ongoing assistance and access to better-quality seeds, helping to improve both the quality and sustainability of their agricultural activities.

“So far, the collaboration has been running well. We receive guidance and better-quality seeds. Hopefully, MANU will continue to support farmers in the future,” said Pak Andi.

For MEKAR, this journey is not just about harvest outcomes, but about growing together with farmers and local communities. This approach reflects MEKAR’s commitment to fostering an agricultural sector that is not only productive but also sustainable and capable of creating broader economic value.

Looking ahead, MEKAR will continue to expand its reach through its ecosystem, including Mekar Asta Nusantara, to support more farmers and agricultural businesses. By connecting financing directly with production activities, MEKAR aims to ensure that every initiative delivers meaningful impact to society.