Enviro News Asia, Yogyakarta — PT PLN Energi Primer Indonesia together with PT PLN (Persero) has accelerated the modernization of community-based energy crop nurseries through a digital Electrifying Agriculture program in Kalurahan Gombang, Gunungkidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta. The initiative is aimed at strengthening biomass supply for cofiring power plants while improving rural economic resilience and sustainable agriculture.
The program, implemented on Thursday (7/5), introduces electricity-based and digital technology systems into biomass nurseries managed by local farming communities. The initiative forms part of PLN EPI’s broader strategy to support Indonesia’s energy transition and greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
PLN EPI Corporate Secretary Mamit Setiawan stated that the program was designed to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in community-based nurseries through the integration of electrical infrastructure and digital technology.
“Through the Electrifying Agriculture program, we are encouraging a more modern nursery management system that is efficient, productive, and sustainable,” Mamit said.
The digitalization initiative applies an Internet of Things (IoT)-based automatic irrigation system that enables scheduled watering and remote monitoring through smartphones. The technology is expected to improve water efficiency, reduce manual labor, and maintain more consistent seedling quality.
Under the program, PLN EPI is developing nurseries for energy crops such as indigofera and kaliandra, which will later be utilized as biomass cofiring materials in coal-fired power plants (PLTU). The effort is intended to support renewable energy development while reducing carbon emissions and strengthening national energy security.
The Electrifying Agriculture program in Gombang has been developed since 2023 through PLN EPI’s Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) scheme. The nursery facilities are managed by the Gapoktan Tani Mulya farmers group with support ranging from digital irrigation systems and electrical installations to training on modern nursery management.
Head of Ponjong Subdistrict Asih Tri Wahyuni said the program is highly relevant for Gunungkidul, an area dominated by dry and critical land requiring innovative agricultural approaches.
“The assistance provided does not stop at the program implementation stage, but continues until communities are able to independently manage the nursery facilities,” she said.
She added that local residents have already started utilizing indigofera leaves not only for biomass development but also as natural dyes for eco-print products, creating additional economic opportunities.
Meanwhile, PLN UP3 Jogja and Wonosari Manager Agung Pratomo emphasized that community-based biomass development could become a sustainable collaborative model for national energy resilience.
“These energy crops will be used as biomass cofiring materials in coal-fired power plants. This means communities are directly contributing to sustainable energy development,” Agung said.
Chairman of Gapoktan Tani Mulya Satiman stated that the digital system has significantly improved operational efficiency and nursery management capacity.
“With electricity and digital systems in place, managing the nursery has become much easier and more efficient. We are also more confident in producing high-quality seedlings while creating new income opportunities for farmers,” he said.
PLN EPI noted that the Gombang Electrifying Agriculture nursery program has the capacity to support up to 25,000 multifunctional and biomass seedlings. In addition to supplying cofiring materials, the initiative also supports reforestation and local economic empowerment.
As part of its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitment, PLN EPI positions the program as not only an environmental initiative focused on emission reduction, but also a social empowerment and governance strengthening effort through structured operational systems and digital technology integration. (*)
