Supporting Asta Cita and SDGs on Food Security, PT Vale Harvests Sustainable Rice Demonstration Plot in Kolaka

Kolaka, March 8, 2026 - As part of the Mining Industry Holding (MIND ID), PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (PT Vale) continues to strengthen its contribution to national development agendas through various sustainability initiatives, including efforts to enhance food security in communities surrounding its operational areas. This commitment was demonstrated through the Joint Harvest of the Sustainable Rice Demonstration Plot in Puubunga Village, Baula District, Kolaka Regency. The activity follows the initial planting held in November 2025 in PT Vale's three assisted villages: Puubunga and Pubenua (Baula District) and Lemedai (Tanggetada District).

Food security is a critical foundation in achieving the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045, in line with President Prabowo Subianto's Asta Cita which places food self-sufficiency as a national priority. This commitment is also outlined in the National Medium- and Long-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025-2029 under Presidential Regulation No. 12 of 2025.

The joint harvest was attended by the Regional Secretary of Kolaka Regency, local government and security leaders (Forkopimda), and representatives from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, including Deputy for Food and Agriculture Business Coordination, Widiastuti, S.E., M.Si.

PT Vale's CEO, Bernardus Irmanto, emphasized that the demonstration plot program is part of the company's holistic sustainability approach, which extends beyond mining operations to strengthening the economic and food resilience of local communities.

"For PT Vale, sustainability is not only about responsible mining. It is about growing together with the communities around our operations. This sustainable rice demonstration plot is part of our holistic approach to strengthening food security, improving farmer livelihoods, and introducing adaptive, environmentally friendly agricultural innovations," said Bernardus.

He added that the program reflects how collaboration between businesses, government, research institutions, and farmer groups can deliver real solutions in support of national development priorities.

The demonstration plot integrates research and precision-based sustainable rice cultivation methods tailored to local agroclimatic conditions. The program is a collaboration between PT Vale Indonesia, the Kolaka Regency Government, farmer groups, and agricultural research institutions.

A total of 36 ares of demonstration plots were developed-10 ares using organic cultivation and 26 ares using conventional methods-designed to provide comparative insights into the effectiveness of each approach.

Several superior rice varieties were tested, including PR25, PR107, Bujang Marantau, Trisakti, Menthik Wangi, and Menthik Susu. The program also introduced Perennial Rice technology and the Salibu system, which allow multiple harvests without replanting. Using this method, farmers can harvest up to eight times from a single planting, reducing seed, nursery, and land preparation costs by up to 50 percent.

PT Vale's Head of External Relations Growth, Endra Kusuma, explained that this initiative is part of a long-term strategy to build a more resilient local economic ecosystem.

"We see sustainable agriculture as a key pillar in strengthening community economic resilience. Through this program, PT Vale is not only improving productivity but also transferring knowledge, technology, and more efficient, eco-friendly farming practices to local farmers," said Endra.

He added that the demonstration plot is expected to serve as a shared learning laboratory that can be replicated in other areas of Kolaka Regency.

Meanwhile, Kolaka Regional Secretary Akbar, S.Sos., MM, expressed appreciation for PT Vale's support. He stated that if all mining companies contributed to food security initiatives, the government's food self-sufficiency targets would be easier to achieve.

Harvest Results Show Positive Progress

The joint harvest produced encouraging results, marking significant improvements compared to previous cultivation practices.

In the 10-are organic plot, particularly the Trisakti variety, yields reached 6.9 tons, demonstrating that precision-based organic cultivation can deliver competitive productivity while preserving soil health and ecosystem balance.

In the 26-are conventional plot, total harvest reached approximately 15 tons across six tested varieties. Their successful adaptation to Kolaka's land conditions indicates strong potential for combining modern cultivation technologies with superior seed varieties to boost productivity.

Beyond yield improvements, the program has strengthened farmer capacity through intensive mentoring, covering land management, organic fertilizer use, and integrated pest control-promoting a productive yet environmentally balanced farming system.

Salmi, a farmer and representative of the Kolaka Organic Farmers Association (ASPOK), highlighted the tangible benefits of organic farming.

"With organic farming, production costs are more efficient because we can make fertilizers from locally available materials. Selling prices are also better, so our profits increase. In terms of production, our yields are higher than with previous conventional methods," he said.

Sustained Commitment to Community Empowerment

PT Vale's Community Development and Empowerment Program (PPM) in the agriculture sector has been implemented consistently since 2021, including the development of organic SRI methods in Pomalaa. As of October 2025, the program has involved 55 farmers, including nine women farmers, supporting inclusivity in local economic development.

Through this joint harvest, PT Vale reaffirms its commitment to creating long-term value for communities-not only through responsible mining but also through development initiatives that strengthen regional social and economic resilience.
Moving forward, the sustainable rice demonstration plot is expected to serve as a replicable best practice, further enhancing collaboration among industry, government, and communities to achieve sustainable national food security.

With strong collaboration and continuous innovation, PT Vale believes this joint effort will not only strengthen food security in Kolaka but also contribute meaningfully to building a more resilient, self-reliant, and sustainable future for Indonesia.