All over the world, women play an integral role in village communities, and are increasingly taking a leading role in local economies. This is especially true in Indonesia, where women are unlocking their potential and exploring new business opportunities.
In 2021, for example, women accounted for nearly half of the workforce in Indonesia. This is supported by data released by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), which showed there were 51.79 million women aged 15 and over, representing 39.52%, of the population at that time. This data was then supplemented by insights into the sectors where women are commonly included in the workforce: Trade (28.6%), agriculture (24.38%), production (20.51%), professionals (10.48%), service providers (8.65%), and officials (6.56%).
Empowered women can not only help drive the nation's economy but also contribute to family resilience. The well-known tenacity and independence of Indonesian women can serve as a key asset for continued innovation. This is what is being developed on Obi Island, South Halmahera, North Maluku, where Harita Nickel, a nickel mining and down streaming company, operates. It empowers women to compete with male workers without being subject to discrimination, stigma, or stereotypes.
Although the economy of this province, nicknamed Moloku Kie Raha, declined drastically during the 2020 pandemic, it is now slowly recovering thanks to improved economic activity. In fact, in the second quarter of 2022, North Maluku's was the highest-performing economy compared to other provinces in Indonesia (Papua followed in second place, and Central Sulawesi in third). This performance is inextricably linked to the role of nickel mining and down streaming companies operating in the province. The value of commodity production continues to increase, offset by continued investment.
Harita Nickel, a nickel mining company operating on Obi Island, South Halmahera, actively supports the empowerment of village women in the surrounding area. Through its Community Development and Empowerment Program (PPM), Harita Nickel continues to encourage village women, the majority of whom are housewives, to become active in economic activities.
One example is the Akelamo Jaya farmer group program, which engages women in Kawasi Village to maximize the agricultural potential of their neighborhood. They have successfully harvested a variety of fruits and vegetables thanks to the company's support. These include kale, mustard greens, chayote, long beans, chilies, cabbage, spinach, pumpkin, and eggplant. Meanwhile, the Akelamo Jaya farmer group has successfully cultivated watermelon and cantaloupe.
"Previously, we didn't know the best way to cultivate the land,” says Nur Ening Dahmad Talaga, an Akelamo Jaya administrator, “we just scattered seeds. Now we're learning intensive farming methods, so the yields are much better."
Harita Nickel's progressive PPM initiatives don't stop there. To increase the economic value and productivity of local residents, the nickel mining company is also opening wider market access for the Akelamo Jaya farmer group. Their harvests can then be sold to the company as processed food for the employee canteen.
In addition to Harita's mentoring, the company's presence on Obi Island has also created unique opportunities for local residents. One example is the emergence of the Nur Annisa Joint Business Group (KUB), comprised of women from the Kawasi Village Islamic study group.
Their journey began by selling Ramadan snacks. Who would have thought that their small steps would lead to sustainable business growth over time? KUB Nur Annisa later evolved into the Annisa Jaya Multipurpose Cooperative (KSU), with dozens of housewives as members.
"When we first started our business, we lacked the financial capacity or skills,” remembers Asmawati Jouronga, Chair of KSU Annisa Jaya. “But, thank God, the company provided us with a solution through the Harita Nickel Community Development team."
The consistent product quality demonstrated by KSU Annisa Jaya earned them the trust of Harita Nickel's business units, PT Trimegah Bangun Persada (TBP) and Gane Permai Sentosa (GPS). Ultimately, this small business, initiated by women from the Islamic study group (Masyarakat Taklim), was able to grow and operate as a business entity under the name MAMS. They no longer offer just food products but also housekeeping and laundry services for employee dormitories.
Women Empowered in the Agricultural Sector
In early 2022, Harita Nickel, through PPM, teamed up with Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) and farmer groups (poktan) in Buton Village to implement a mentoring program to pilot rice cultivation on a 3-hectare plot of land. This PPM program, which was subsequently renamed the Obi Food Security Center (SENTANI), aims to increase community productivity and food self-sufficiency, given that Obi Island still has a low food self-sufficiency rate.
The SENTANI program is touted as one of the company's concrete responses to the national agenda and the implementation of the 2022 North Maluku Blueprint, particularly in mining business activities. Harita Nickel's mentoring of the Buton Village women's farmer group bore fruit in July 2022, when the first harvest was held. The yield was quite satisfactory, four times the harvest volume prior to mentoring.
"The harvest potential reached 4.8 tons in terms of Harvested Dry Grain (GKP). Four times the amount before the mentoring," says Mahfud Lohor, Head of the BUMDes who assisted with Harita’s farmer mentoring program.
Although this figure is still below the national GKP standard of 5.2 tons, the Buton Village farmers' harvest achievement is worthy of appreciation. "We are optimistic that the Buton Village farmer group's harvest yield can reach 6 tons per hectare in the next planting area expansion program," says Broto Suwarso, Harita Nickel's Economic and Agriculture Superintendent.
The mining company on Obi Island is determined to put the harvest from its community outreach activities to good use. Harita uses most of the harvest to stock its employees' canteens.
Harita Nickel's diverse community outreach programs represent a sustained effort to empower women. With these numerous programs, it is hoped that women on Obi Island will become more active, enabling them to significantly contribute to the local economy.