Students from the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program (EPA), Department of Agricultural Socio-Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, carried out an Magang Berdampak Program in collaboration with PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan. This program represents the implementation of experiential learning, aiming not only to enhance students’ competencies but also to deliver tangible benefits to local communities within the company’s operational areas.
The internship program focuses on community empowerment, particularly assisting Kelompok Tani Persada and Kelompok Tani Hutan (KTH) Alam Pusaka Jaya. The activities emphasize strengthening agrosilvopastoral practices, an integrated system combining agriculture, forestry, and livestock in a sustainable manner. In addition, students contributed to the development of plant nurseries as part of efforts to support sustainable production and land rehabilitation, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
The program began with field observations and participatory discussions conducted in March 2026 in Pinggir Village and Balairaja Village, Pinggir Subdistrict, Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province. These initial activities served as a crucial foundation for identifying local potentials, community needs, and existing challenges, ensuring that the implemented programs are both relevant and context-specific.
More broadly, this program holds strategic significance as it not only promotes the economic and social independence of farmer groups but also contributes to mitigating human-elephant conflicts in wildlife corridor areas. The community-based empowerment approach adopted in this program provides a sustainable solution to balance economic activities with environmental conservation.
This initiative also reflects the spirit of achieving the SDGs, particularly SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG 13: Climate action, and SDG 15: Life on land.
Author: Natasya Putri Alifia, S.P.
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