Thirteen Women’s Economic Business Groups (Kelompok Usaha Ekonomi Perempuan/KUEP) in Musi Banyuasin District have successfully demonstrated economic resilience during the oil palm replanting period through 190 types of home-based businesses. These businesses include palm frond crafts, food products, livestock and cultivation, and other ventures initiated by women’s groups. Collectively, they generated a total profit of IDR 88.2 million and managed savings and loans with a total capital of IDR 1.2 billion. The efforts, involving around 505 women from 13 groups across 13 villages in Musi Banyuasin, were presented during the Public Forum and Strategic Reflection on the Women’s Group Resilience Program in Oil Palm Plantations, held at the Grand Ranggonang Hotel, Sekayu District (May 24).
This program, aimed at strengthening the resilience of women’s groups in oil palm plantations, is a collaboration between PT Cargill and CARE Indonesia (Yayasan CARE Peduli/YCP), with support from the Musi Banyuasin District Government. Since its launch in November 2022, the ongoing program has focused on building economic independence through skills training, entrepreneurship capacity building, capital support for improving household income, as well as support and assistance to ensure safe spaces for women and children in their communities.
Zulkarnain, S.P., Head of the Cooperatives and MSMEs Department of Musi Banyuasin, stated that the economic activities driven by KUEPs hold great potential for continued development. “We see that the guidance provided by CARE Indonesia to these women and mothers has shown real results, significantly boosting household income,” he said.
Zulkarnain further noted that the business types initiated by KUEP members in Musi Banyuasin are diverse and can potentially be adopted by communities in other villages. “The entrepreneurial creativity shown by these communities can inspire others to improve and innovate, just as highlighted during the program by CARE Indonesia. We hope that programs like this will continue to serve as collaborative platforms that benefit even more people,” he explained.
Products from the KUEPs were also showcased at the MUBA Expo, held by the Musi Banyuasin District Government. At this event, a variety of KUEP products were featured as highlights, including palm frond handicrafts that have been added to the Musi Banyuasin Government’s electronic catalog.
Dr. Abdul Wahib Situmorang, CEO of CARE Indonesia, explained that the program applies a holistic approach, focusing on economic empowerment through the formation of KUEPs, nutrition improvement through community nutrition gardens managed by Women Farmers Groups (Kelompok Wanita Tani/KWT), prevention and support for cases of violence against women and children, and environmental protection with the help of Community Fire Concern Groups (Masyarakat Peduli Api/MPA). “During the program, 4,937 individuals were reached as direct participants and 100,522 people were reached indirectly through various activities and information channels. Empowerment requires capacity building in various areas, including financial literacy, gender equality training for equal access for women and men, and understanding gender-based violence support mechanisms. Agricultural and agri-business training also took place, along with environmental maintenance workshops,” Abdul said.
Furthermore, Abdul noted that the program, implemented in 13 villages in the subdistricts of Tungkal Jaya, Sungai Lilin, and Keluang, received strong support and collaboration from local village governments. “All village governments were very supportive of this program’s implementation. This is evident from policy support at the village level, such as issuing decrees (SK) for KUEPs in all 13 villages, and even funding support through village funds. This reflects a shared commitment to enhancing the role and access of women within the community,” Abdul stated.
Abdul also emphasized that the KUEPs have been well-received by local governments because their goals align with national government programs. “We are proud of the recognition given to KUEPs. This appreciation is a result of the activities and programs carried out by their members. We hope KUEPs will actively collaborate in the Merah Putih Cooperative Program,” Abdul concluded.
Author: Kukuh A. Tohari
Editor: Swiny Adestika