Pertamina's Fostered Partners Equips Farmers with International Standard Training to Ensure Export Quality Spice Products

Jakarta, April 10, 2021 - The wealth of spices is one of this nation's advantages. Through the Partnership Program, PT Pertamina (Persero) utilizes the potential of Indonesian spices through coaching micro and small business actors (MSEs). They are trained to produce high-quality products and processed spices with export quality.

The coaching has been applied to Patrisia Lesmana. The Noni Spice House owner has a special mission related to the spice business she is currently running. "I have a dream to be able to introduce our processed archipelago spices to the global scene. Finally, the dream began to come true," she said.

Several products made from ginseng, moringa, cinnamon, cloves, and other ingredients made by Rumah Rempah Noni have succeeded in penetrating the export market. Several countries are the destination for the export of Patrisia processed spices. Among them are Arab, America, China, and Canada.

Patrisia's noble dream related to the spice business is to make her farmers prosperous. It is also the reason why Patrisia created the Noni Spice House. "When I had an assignment in Sukabumi, I talked a lot with the spice farmers. That is where the desire arises to help these farmers distribute and improve the quality of their products," she explained.

According to Patrisia, all of the fostered farmers have been trained with international standards. Starting from picking, washing, drying to sending the product to be processed at the production site on Jalan Gunung Sahari X No. 16, Central Jakarta. This effort was made widely accept the product and ensure export quality.

In addition to empowering farmers, Patrisia collaborates with ten people, the majority of whom are housewives, to help with the product packaging process. Thanks to this dedication and tenacity, Rumah Rempah Noni can generate a turnover of up to IDR 1.44 billion annually. It is implementing SDGs' 8th goal, which is to provide decent work and support economic growth.

Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations of Pertamina, Agus Suprijanto, appreciated Patrisia's business. According to him, Pertamina will continue to support local products' development to make them more global. Especially the use of spices which are abundant in Indonesia. "Pertamina will assist intensively to ensure that these spice items are of good quality and to encourage MSEs to upgrade," he said.

According to Agus, through this Partnership Program, Pertamina always wants to provide energy that drives the economy--energy that becomes fuel and energy that generates sustainable growth. "Pertamina will support Indonesian MSEs to be more independent with the intensive assistance we provide. Therefore, MSEs can upgrade," he concluded.

Apart from implementing SDGs, Pertamina also strives to implement ESG, especially in the social sector. ESG or Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Management is the company step in running its business that focuses on long-term business sustainability. Pertamina believes that it can continuously generate economic benefits in the community following environmental and social responsibilities.**