Indonesian have been using red ginger as a raw material for traditional medicines. Red ginger (Zingiber officinale var. Rubrum) contains gingerol and shogaol, compounds that are responsible for immunomodulator’s effects on increasing human immunity which could prevent COVID-19 infection and help the recovery of patients. The demand for red ginger and other healthy ingredient products such as honey spiked during this pandemic, including products from APP Sinar Mas through DMPA program.
DMPA program in Dataran Kempas village, Jambi assisted by PT Wirakarya Sakti (WKS) have been producing and selling red ginger products since 2017. There are 130 members in a group called Kelompok Wanita Tani Mekar Wangi which mostly are regular housewives. Group leader, Rita Ayuwandari said their production has increased from 200kgs to 350kgs per month. “Our revenue has increased by up to 50%. Even we are now shifting from palm farming to ginger to fulfill the demand,” said Rita.
There is also a high demand for honey products in Bahta village, West Kalimantan, which increased three times than normal. “We usually sold 120kgs of honey in a month, but now we sell them in less than a week. We are also working together with nearby villages to comply with the demand” said one of the farmers, Togos.
Corporate Social and Security Head APP Sinar Mas Agung Wiyono said that even during this pandemic, DMPA program has improved the welfare of people living in and around the concession area. This program is to transform the slash and burn practice into more sustainable farming system for a better tomorrow. It is our commitment to improving lives our community while safe guarding the environment for #GrowingOurTomorrow.
