PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — Heavy rains in the heart of Kalimantan often tell a familiar story: muddy dirt roads, vehicles stuck, children unable to reach school, and farmers’ harvests stranded in the village. Yet from these long-standing challenges, a new story has emerged through Bumitama Berdaya Desa Sejahtera—a program that combines infrastructure development with community empowerment.
In West Kalimantan, Bumitama, together with local governments, has been repairing critical roads and bridges. In the first half of 2025 alone, the company rehabilitated 133 kilometers of roads, built 15 bridges, and compacted 21 kilometers of laterite roads, covering 19 villages around its operations.
Similar efforts were made in Central Kalimantan. In East Kotawaringin, Bumitama allocated IDR 500 million for infrastructure improvements, while in West Kotawaringin, IDR 120 million was invested in road reinforcement and heavy equipment support. Though modest on paper, the impact has been tangible—improving mobility, opening access to markets, and reducing logistics costs for villagers.
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What makes the program unique is its participatory approach. Each project begins with village deliberations, ensuring local voices guide development. “We’re not just being helped, but truly involved. Even before we ask, they are ready to assist,” said Abdur Rasyid, Head of Pantai Harapan Village in Cempaga Hulu District, in a statement received by Palmoilmagazine.com on Friday (August 15, 2025).
This community-centered method aligns with the company’s ESG commitments and RSPO standards, placing people at the heart of development. Local champions are encouraged to lead change, ensuring that progress extends beyond physical projects.
In Sei Ubar Mandiri Village, Head of Village Andreka Setiadi shared how Bumitama provided heavy machinery—such as excavators and graders—four times to open vital access routes. “In the past, damaged roads delayed many activities. Now things run more smoothly, and residents are more motivated to develop the village together,” he said.
Challenges, however, remain. In Pelantaran Village, two repaired road sections deteriorated again by January 2025 due to heavy rains and traffic. In response, Bumitama is preparing follow-up strategies for the second half of the year, focusing not only on restoring connectivity but also on strengthening local economies through business mentoring, leadership empowerment, and sustainable economic ecosystem development.
This story illustrates that the role of a palm oil company goes far beyond production. Through tangible actions, the roads being built are more than just stones and asphalt—they are lifelines connecting opportunities, driving the local economy, and nurturing hope across villages in Kalimantan. (P2)
