Mekar Asta Nusantara Advances Sustainable Agriculture Through First Agroforestry Harvest in Jember

Jember, January 20, 2026 — PT Mekar Asta Nusantara (MANU), led by CEO Evi Febriana, in collaboration with GAPOKTANHUT Desa Seputih, held the first corn harvest of its Agroforestry Program in Jember Regency, East Java. This milestone demonstrates a tangible collaboration between farmers, local government, and the private sector in transforming previously unproductive land into economically valuable agricultural areas.

The inaugural harvest was attended by the Vice Regent of Jember, Dr. H. Djoko Susanto, S.H., M.H., along with regional officials, members of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), the Jember Agriculture Office, the East Java Social Forestry Office, village authorities, and MANU’s partner farmers.

In his remarks, the Vice Regent expressed appreciation for MANU’s initiative, noting that it aligns with government programs to strengthen food security and promote sustainable agriculture.

“This activity is expected to inspire farmers, especially in Jember. The partnership between farmers and MANU is a model worth appreciating and further developing as part of strengthening food security,” said Djoko Susanto.

He added that partnership programs should continue to be refined to maximize benefits for farmers, particularly through the development of a sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

Under the leadership of CEO Evi Febriana, MANU has consistently developed agroforestry-based agricultural partnerships. With more than five years of experience in the agricultural sector, Evi promotes an approach that focuses not only on harvest outcomes but also on ecosystem sustainability and improving farmers’ welfare.

Through MANU’s partnership program, farmers’ productivity has increased alongside the expansion of cultivated land, utilization of previously unproductive forest areas, and the implementation of more structured farming systems. Land that was once underutilized is now being managed productively, creating added value for farmers.

MANU also introduces modern agricultural practices through continuous assistance, covering cultivation processes, post-harvest management, and expanding market access for farmers’ produce.

This program is part of the Mekar Ecosystem, where PT Mekar Investama Teknologi (MEKAR) and PT Mekar Asta Nusantara (MANU) collaborate operationally to strengthen productive sectors in Indonesia, including agriculture. Through this approach, MEKAR supports improvements in farm management systems, operational efficiency, and the development of a technology-based agricultural ecosystem.

Evi Febriana stated that this first harvest marks an important milestone for MANU in expanding its partnership impact in the agricultural sector.

“For us, the success of this program is not only measured by the harvest but by how farmers grow together with us. Revitalizing previously unproductive land into productive land is part of MANU’s commitment to creating sustainable agriculture with real impact,” she said.

The launch of this program also represents a strategic step in strengthening the role of regions within the national food security supply chain. Through partnership-based agriculture and optimized land utilization, the sector is expected to contribute more significantly to community welfare.

Going forward, MANU aims to expand this agroforestry partnership model in Jember and other regions with support from local governments and stakeholders. Ultimately, this initiative is expected not only to increase agricultural productivity but also to enhance farmers’ welfare and support sustainable regional economic development.