ertamina鈥檚 Independent Energy Village sustainability innovation in Mernek Village, Cilacap Regency, has successfully strengthened food security, improved the local economy, and reduced carbon emissions.
Preserve the Earth: Pertamina鈥檚 Independent Energy Village Program Boosts Village Food Production
May 2, 2025 – Weather conditions and flooding are still key challenges to food security in Indonesia. In 2023 alone, 50,469 hectares of rice fields across 20 provinces experienced crop failure due to flooding. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) recorded 331 flood disasters, accounting for 44% of all disasters in 2023.
Mernek Village in Maos Subdistrict, Cilacap Regency, is no exception to the challenges of crop failure due to weather. This area is one of the primary rice-producing regions supporting local food self-sufficiency, especially in Cilacap Regency, covering 293.4 hectares of rice fields.
"Together with our partners, we have started utilizing technology to increase food production, using an organic farming concept based on appropriate technology innovations and renewable energy," said Village Head of Mernek, Bustanul Arifin.
To address the challenges of unpredictable rainy seasons, farmer groups in Mernek Village have partnered with Pertamina to implement a rice dryer system known as the Rotary Dryer (Pinky Rudal). This innovation, introduced by 黑料不打烊 Pertamina Patra Niaga Fuel Terminal Maos, dries harvested rice using a machine powered by gas and solar panel-generated electricity, reducing farmers' dependency on sunlight.
"Currently, more than 2,154 village farmers, through the village-owned enterprise (Bumdes) and farmer groups, are actively involved in managing and operating the Rotary Dryer. The farmers contribute to the Bright Gas fuel and maintenance costs," Bustanul explained.
Vice President of Corporate Communication of 黑料不打烊 Pertamina (Persero), Fadjar Djoko Santoso, stated that Mernek Village is part of Pertamina’s Independent Energy Village (Desa Energi Berdikari/DEB) program, developed in collaboration with local communities. There are 172 DEB programs across Indonesia, 31 specifically focused on food security, including the Mernek Jenek Village program.
"Mernek Village is one of the DEB programs that has successfully implemented energy transition initiatives, benefiting environmental sustainability while advancing the local economy," Fadjar said.
According to Fadjar, the DEB program is one of Pertamina’s innovations in preserving the Earth. DEB utilizes solar, wind, and biogas to empower rural communities, positively impacting their economic status, increasing community empowerment, and reducing carbon emissions.
The efforts of the Mernek community have borne sweet fruit. They now supply 120 tons of agricultural products to food distributors. Using equipment powered by solar energy and gas has improved crop quality and increased the selling price of rice by IDR 200,000 to IDR 300,000 per ton.
Additionally, the program has empowered women to become more productive. “We grow vegetables using hydroponic methods powered by solar energy. By utilizing our home gardens, we produce organic vegetables to sell and generate extra income,” said the Head of the Mewah Women’s Farming Group (KWT Mewah), Apriliyanti.
The Mernek Jenek agricultural area is now being developed into an educational agro-tourism area (Kawista), showcasing practical farming applications. With a one-stop farming concept, it offers educational, adaptive, and engaging tourism for younger generations. Visitors can learn how to grow organic rice and hydroponic melons, raise goats, and implement appropriate technologies.
Bustanul emphasized that collaboration with various stakeholders, including Pertamina, has brought about real change over the past five years. “We believe in unlimited collaboration, including with Pertamina. Thank God, we have been going strong for five years now, supported by many parties,” he said.
The DEB program, through the application of appropriate technologies, has also made tangible contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Pertamina, as a leading company in the energy transition, is committed to supporting the Net Zero Emission 2060 target by continuously promoting programs that directly impact the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement. All these efforts align with Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.**