Sangatta – PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Sangatta Field has earned the prestigious PROPER Gold award from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry/Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (KLHK) for its excellent performance in environmental management and community development. This recognition was achieved through the Sangatta Stingless Bee Agroforestry Development Program/Program Pengembangan Tani Hutan Kelulut Sangatta  (PROLEKTA), a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on stingless bee farming in South Sangatta Village, East Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan.

PROLEKTA addresses the inefficiencies in stingless bee farming, which previously faced challenges due to limited tools and infrastructure. Leveraging the extensive natural habitat of stingless bees, the program aims to assist forest farmers in managing bee colonies while increasing honey production. Through a community-driven approach, PROLEKTA fosters economic growth and promotes environmental conservation and biodiversity awareness.

In 2024, PROLEKTA expanded by establishing five new business sub-units to support the stingless bee farming ecosystem. The first sub-unit, the Stingless Bee Honey MSME, focuses on producing honey, bee pollen, and liquid propolis as core bee product outputs. The second, Stingless Bee Farming Edu-tourism, offers educational tours where vulnerable community members serve as educators. The third, the Kutai Timur Specialty Product Creativity Outlet & Zero Waste Cafeteria, emphasizes local artisanal products and responsible, waste-free production.

Additionally, the Energy Depot processes liquid smoke, propolis waste, and mushroom-growing media to maximize waste utilization. The fifth sub-unit, the Trigona Simple Waste Bank, manages household waste by converting organic materials into compost and sorting inorganic waste. Together, these five interconnected sub-units create a sustainable business ecosystem that generates economic and social benefits for the local community.

Field Manager of PEP Sangatta Field, Cahyo Nugroho, emphasized the significance of social mapping in CSR programs. "By conducting social mapping in the villages within PEP Sangatta's operational areas, we ensure that our programs deliver a positive impact and remain sustainable," he explained. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration with stakeholders. "We actively partner with MSMEs, Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes), government agencies, and local communities to sustain and empower these programs now and in the future," he added.

As part of its social innovation efforts, PROLEKTA introduced the Modern Adaptive Circular Eccentric Agrosilvopastoral System/Sistem Pertanian Agrosilvopastura Modern Adaptif Sirkuler Eksentri (TEMAN ASIK). This system focuses on three key areas: technological innovation in farming tools, a shared value model through barter partnerships (involving bee colonies, liquid smoke, and propolis), and efficient operational management. This innovative approach enhances forest farmers' productivity while reinforcing sustainability in the stingless bee farming ecosystem.

Head of Communication Relations & CID Zona 9, Elis Fauziyah, highlighted the program's environmental impact and community empowerment. "Since its inception, PROLEKTA has reduced carbon emissions by 0.15172 tons of CO₂ equivalent annually, recycled 100 kilograms of plastic waste for planting media, and directly benefited 25 people," she shared. The program has also introduced five packaged stingless bee honey variants, developed nine honey-based derivative products, and attracted an average of 1,400 tourists annually.

Through these achievements, PROLEKTA not only improves the welfare of forest farmers but also plays a critical role in preserving the environment and stimulating local economic development. The program aligns with the Smart Branding initiative under the Smart City concept in East Kutai Regency, earning the region recognition from the Ministry of Communication and Informatics of the Republic of Indonesia in 2021.

Looking ahead, PROLEKTA aims to evolve into a self-sustaining business model that inspires similar initiatives in other regions while strengthening commitments to eco-tourism and community empowerment.

PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Sangatta Field, part of Subholding Upstream Regional 3 under PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), conducts upstream oil and gas operations adhering to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. In collaboration with SKK Migas, PEP Sangatta Field and other PHI subsidiaries implement innovative CSR programs in economic, educational, health, environmental, infrastructure, and disaster response sectors, supporting sustainable community empowerment and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PHI is headquartered in Jakarta. For more information, visit https://phi.pertamina.com.