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First Harvest and PTDI's Commitment to Building a Sustainable Sorghum Ecosystem in West Java

BANDUNG, WWW.PASJABAR.COM — PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and the West Java Provincial Food Crops and Horticulture Service (Distanhorti) carried out the first sorghum harvest at the Rice and Secondary Crops Seed Center (UPTD) Service Unit in Plumbon, Cirebon, West Java.

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of West Java, Erwan Setiawan, and prominent West Java community figures, Umuh Muchtar, as well as the Head of the West Java Provincial Distanhorti, Dadan Hidayat.

This event is a continuation of the joint sorghum planting activity that was

implemented in October 2025 through PTDI's Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) program, as part of efforts to strengthen regional food security and food diversification.

By developing sorghum as an alternative commodity, this program is expected to reduce dependence on a single staple food while expanding the choice of nutritious and economically valuable food ingredients.

Support from the Pasundan Association

Support from community leaders such as Umuh Muchtar and the Paguyuban Pasundan socio-cultural organization also confirms that this initiative to strengthen the sorghum commodity ecosystem is not merely an institutional agenda, but also a joint community movement to build food independence based on local potential.

Land Utilization Partnership for Sorghum Commodity Ecosystem Development

Prior to the symbolic inauguration of the first harvest, PTDI signed a Cooperation Charter with

West Java community leader Umuh Muchtar regarding land use as a cultivation area and the future development of the sorghum commodity ecosystem in the Jatigede area, Sumedang Regency, West Java.

The signing was carried out by PTDI President Director Gita Amperiawan and Umuh Muchtar.

This partnership represents a strategic step in utilizing productive land to support sustainable sorghum cultivation.

Through collaboration with community leaders, PTDI encourages the empowerment of local farmers, increases the economic value of sorghum, and strengthens an integrated agricultural ecosystem, from cultivation to harvest utilization.

This initiative also reflects the company's commitment to building inclusive partnerships that have a real impact on the community.

Strategic Synergy for Future Sorghum Commodity Ecosystem Development

At the same event, PTDI signed a Joint Commitment with the Directorate General of Food Crops of the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) regarding the utilization of sorghum land in West Java Province, including its integrated development.

The signing was carried out by PTDI President Director Gita Amperiawan and Gunawan, Director of Cereals at the Directorate General of Food Crops, Kementan.

Under this agreement, PTDI and the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture will collaborate on the utilization of 10 hectares of sorghum land in West Java Province, as well as the empowerment of farmers and MSMEs, including technical guidance and supervision of sorghum cultivation and management activities in West Java.

As an industry, PTDI will provide technical and technological support related to sorghum processing, as well as the development and provision of sorghum processing machinery, which will then be recognized as part of the Company's CSR (Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility) program.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture will synergize the implementation of the land utilization program with national strategic policies on food security and sorghum commodity development.

Sorghum was chosen as a superior commodity due to its high adaptability to various land conditions, relative drought resistance, and broad potential for use as food, feed, and biomass energy.

Currently, PTDI's CSR program development for sorghum cultivation has been carried out on an initial 1.5 hectares of land, with the potential for harvests up to three times a year.

Given the positive current harvest results, expansion of the cultivation area is planned for May 2026 as a concrete, productive and sustainable step.

PTDI President Director, Gita Amperiawan, said, "Utilizing sorghum as an alternative food source and, in the future, as a source of biomass is part of PTDI's commitment through its CSR (Corporate Social and Environmental Management) program to encourage community empowerment and an economy based on local potential."

"This initiative not only presents innovative solutions that align with strengthening food security, but also creates added value for farmers and supports sustainable development that has a real impact on the environment and community well-being," he said. (*/jbe)

Source: https://pasjabar.com/2026/03/08/panen-sorgum-cirebon-jawa-barat/