PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur intends to lead by example through its “PKT BISA (Integrated Agricultural Program for Innovative and Prosperous Babadan)” initiative by guiding organizations toward a sustainable economic model by continuously striving to produce products with sustainable goals. Commonly referred to as simply “PKT BISA”, this CSR project has also claimed a Social Empowerment category at the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards 2024, organized by leading regional NGO, Enterprise Asia.
The agricultural sector in Indonesia is experiencing many problems that threaten their livelihoods, such as climate change, land conversion, declining regeneration, increasing prices of inputs, degradation of land quality, uncompetitive selling prices, and so on. These problems are interrelated, forming challenges at the structural level. Therefore, PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur as a fertilizer producer, is committed to contributing to the problems they face.
Among PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur’s sustainable products is Biodex, a bioactivator for compost. “PKT BISA” is an integrated Agricultural Program for Innovative and Prosperous Babadan; it is a pilot project for community empowerment to tackle livestock waste issues which have been a long standing issue. “PKT BISA” processes compost made using a mixture of Biodex. Through this initiative, communities can expand their agricultural efforts, ultimately leading to a circular economy and self-reliance.
As a part of the project’s achievements, “PKT BISA” managed to resolve certain environmental issues for the Indonesian farmers’ community. The project utilized animal manure waste of as much as 30.9 tons during 2023 and 25.8 tons in 2024 (as of April), which contributed to the reduction of emissions that were originally produced from livestock activities. Besides that, the project managed to utilize 1.6 tonnes of peanuts, rice, and corn commodities agricultural waste in 2024 (as of April); this has assisted in the reduction of waste-burning activities, and thus, carbon reduction. Another environmental issue that the project assisted with is the improvement of agricultural land conditions by balancing the land’s fertilization, which reduced eutrophication.
Through “PKT BISA”, Babadan farmers began to apply balanced fertilization which resulted in improved soil health conditions and increased productivity. These farmers reduced the use of chemical fertilizers and began to use biological products. This way of business is ideal for state-owned companies such as PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur, which are not only given the mandate to run a business but also improve community welfare while protecting the environment.
In the future, once the circular economy cycle in Babadan is running well, the company will start replicating this activity in other locations to have a wider impact, so that more farmers can improve their livelihoods. It is the goal of the company to make farming the primary occupation for many Indonesians and hopes that it will gain more popularity among the younger generation. In addition, there will be regeneration of new farmers who are more aware of new technology and knowledge.
About Enterprise Asia
Enterprise Asia is a non-governmental organization in pursuit of creating an Asia that is rich in entrepreneurship as an engine toward sustainable and progressive economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Its two pillars of existence are investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship. Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGOs, and other organizations to promote competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, uplifting the economic status of people across Asia and ensuring a legacy of hope, innovation, and courage for future generations. Please visit https://www.enterpriseasia.org/ for more information.
About Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA)
The Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards program recognizes and honors Asian businesses for championing sustainable and responsible entrepreneurship in the categories of Green Leadership, Investment in People, Health Promotion, Social Empowerment, Corporate Governance, Circular Economy Leadership, Corporate Sustainability Reporting, and Responsible Business Leadership. For more information, visit https://enterpriseasia.org/area/.