Bunyu, North Kalimantan – PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Bunyu Field has successfully run the Green Hydroponics program, a community development program by exploring alternative planting media from raw materials for local natural resources on Bunyu Island, namely fern roots, a plant endemic to North Kalimantan.

Senior Manager of Bunyu Field, Andry Sehang, explained that through this Green Hydroponics program, the roots of the "Good Fern" press fern were created, which is a hydroponic planting medium made from the roots of the Stenochaelna Palustris type fern or shrimp fern.

"Now, hydroponic onion planting and the use of Good Fern have been implemented by hydroponic farmers assisted by PEP Bunyu, that is the Amanah Farmer Women's Group and the Vegetable Garden Farmer Women's Group. This innovation is expected to be a pioneer and pilot in raising local potential using fern-root planting media which reaches the national and international arena," explained Andry.

By using Good Fern, hydroponic farmers can save onion production costs of Rp20,000 for every 25 net pots. It can be used 4-5 times the planting period until harvest. Besides that, various vegetable crops can be grown with a hydroponic system, such as mustard greens, lettuce, melons, and cauliflower which can also be grown with the Good Fern medium.

"We have successfully implemented various social and environmental innovations in the implementation of PPM so that it can have a significant and sustainable impact. We hope that the people of Bunyu Island can achieve self-sufficiency without the need to bring in shallots from outside the area and realize Bunyu Island Independent Food Security (BUTANI)," said Andry.

The success of the company's PPM program is a collaboration between the company, beneficiaries, supporting partners, and all other stakeholders. This program is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that were also implemented by PT Pertamina (Persero), goal 8, "Decent Work and Economic Growth" and goal 9, "Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure".

The Green Hydroponics Program won 1st place at the North Kalimantan Provincial Level in the 2022 Featured Category at the Appropriate Technology (TTG) competition. This competition is organized by the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration, under the supervision of the Community Empowerment Office and Villages of Bulungan Regency and North Kalimantan Province. Furthermore, this program will compete in the National level competition next October.

PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Bunyu Field is part of the Pertamina Regional 3 Upstream Subholding which is led by Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI). In carrying out the management of upstream oil and gas operations and businesses by following ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) principles, PEP Bunyu Field, other PHI subsidiaries, and affiliates run innovative Corporate Social Responsibility programs in the fields of Economy, Education, Health, Environment, Infrastructure, and Disaster Response to support sustainable community empowerment and the achievement of Sustainability Development  Goals (SDG). PHI is headquartered in Jakarta. More information about PHI is available at https://phi.pertamina.com.