Supplying Dozens of Tons of Food to Harita Nickel, Obi’s Young Farmers Show That Mining and Agriculture Can Thrive Together

Amid the rapid growth of the mining industry on Obi Island, a movement for food self-sufficiency is taking root under the leadership of Darwan Aduhasan, 33. Through his “Young Farmers” initiative, Darwan is showing that agriculture and mining do not have to compete with one another. Instead, they can work hand in hand to create tangible benefits for local communities.

A communications graduate, Darwan made the bold decision to step away from the conventional office career path and return to farming. At a time when many young people on Obi Island were applying for jobs with mining companies, he chose to lead a farmers’ group in Buton Village and gradually became a key supplier of food for thousands of Harita Nickel employees.

“I saw an enormous agricultural potential here. For 15 years, my family was able to make a living and even finance my education through university purely from horticultural farming. The presence of industry has actually become a catalyst because it has opened access to the market we needed,” said Darwan. 

To encourage greater youth participation, Darwan established the PELANGI (the Farmers Upholding the Values of Unity and Mutual Cooperation) farmers’ group. The group is a pioneer in food self-sufficiency in the mining ring area, and its main mission is to challenge the idea that decent work can only be found within company operations.

Organic Revolution and Greater Market Certainty

The partnership between farmers and the company has grown stronger since 2022 through Harita Nickel’s Community Development and Empowerment Program. Starting with just two hectares of land, farmers mentored by Darwan, including the Daun Hijau and Cempaka farmer groups, recorded watermelon yields of 7 to 8 tons per hectare.

In 2024, the collaboration reached a new stage. Harita Nickel supported a full transition to organic farming methods. Through the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility team, farmers received training in producing their own compost and plant-based pesticides. The impact has been significant, with production costs falling sharply.

”With an investment of only IDR 250,000, we managed to harvest 2.75 tons of fully organic watermelon,” said Darwan, who recently received the 2024 Sustainable Village Development Award from the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration.

All of the harvest is now regularly purchased by Harita Nickel's catering service. This pattern creates a healthy economic ecosystem: the company obtains a supply of fresh and healthy food for its employees, while farmers gain price and market certainty.

Vision for 2026: Expanding Land and Workforce

This success has inspired new optimism. From an initial membership of just 28 people, Darwan is targeting 100 active farmers by 2026, managing rice fields and horticultural land across Obi Island.

“My hope is simple. Through PELANGI, people will come to see that agriculture can provide a decent and sustainable livelihood, even in an area widely known as a mining center,” he concluded.