Together with 7.984 Agriculture MSMEs, Pertamina Strengthen National Food Security  

Jakarta, October 3, 2020 – Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, PT Pertamina (Persero) continues to develop partnership programs and the empowerment of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, including the agriculture sector, which reaches 7.984 Fostered Partners to strengthen the food security jointly.

From IDR 3.5 Trillion of funds, which has been distributed to MSMEs since 1993, the Agriculture MSMEs receive the most significant portion, namely around IDR 1.3 Trillion.

Vice President of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Fajiryah Usman, explained that the partnership program in agriculture is one sector that is currently being carried out by the company. The guidance given to the MSMEs is meant to support the government's effort to strengthen the national food security.

"Pertamina's partnership program with MSMEs can support efforts to reduce high-cost economies. The program is also expected to be an enabler for MSMEs to support food security developed in the agriculture, cultivation, and livestock sectors," she said.

Fajriyah added that apart from receiving capital assistance, this agricultural sector fostered partner also received business training to improve the quality of agricultural products. Furthermore, to ensure that the farmers' businesses run smoothly, Pertamina also provides assistance and monitoring, starting from the planting process to harvesting and marketing.

Pertamina has 63 thousand MSMEs assisted partners in 7 fields of Industry, including services, trade, livestock, fisheries, agriculture, plantations, and others from 2013 to 2020. The products of fostered partners who excel will receive appreciation in publication and entry into Pertamina SME 1000 superior foster partner catalog to support sustainable marketing. Therefore, their products can be widely known in the community.

"Food security is an important aspect of national security. By conducting MSMEs partnerships in the agricultural sector, Pertamina can contribute significantly to the nation's security and independence. This is Pertamina's social investment, which is expected to impact the company, both directly and indirectly positively," concluded Fajriyah.**