PALMOILMAGAZINE, SIMPANG EMPAT – The Regency of Pasaman Barat in West Sumatra has enlisted the support of palm oil companies and banks to accelerate their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs to tackle poverty and address stunting issues in the region.
Regent of Pasaman Barat, Hamsuardi, noted that several companies have stepped in to assist the local government. “We approached companies in this regency to collaborate in addressing poverty, solving stunting, and eliminating extreme poverty,” Hamsuardi said on Wednesday (11/9) in Simpang Empat.
He highlighted that, based on data from the *penyasaran percepatan penghapusan kemiskinan ekstrem* (P3KE), the extreme poverty rate in the regency remains high. “Last year, we managed to reduce it by just 0.7%. Companies like Wilmar Group have implemented CSR programs in 2023 for four villages: Mandiangin, Bayur Kabung, Panjung Pangkal, and Maligi,” he said, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com from Antara on Friday (13/9/2024).
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Vice Regent Risnawanto also pointed out that the regency’s limited budget poses a significant challenge in addressing social issues. “We need support from various sectors, particularly banks and palm oil plantation companies, to contribute through their CSR programs,” he emphasized.
Head of Regional Development and Research and Development Plan, Pasaman Barat, Ikhwanri said that in 2023, the poverty level at the regency reached 6,92 percent or about 33.520 men. The stunting prevalence reached 29,7 percent or equal to 5.098 babies with the decreasing target up to 14 percent. The extrem poverty in the same year reached 0,70 percent or about 3.410 men. (P2)
