During a conversation, Ansori shared that he is one of the farmers participating in a partnership program with PT HM Sampoerna Tbk. (Sampoerna) through a supplier company. He has been part of this program since 2018.

For the past six years, Ansori said that the partnership program had provided significant benefits.

"From tobacco farming, I’ve been able to purchase up to 2 hectares of land and a motorcycle. Additionally, I can send my child to university," he said.

According to Ansori, the Sampoerna partnership program also has broader benefits in driving the local economy. For instance, Ansori can contribute to social and development activities in his village using the funds he sets aside each harvest season. Moreover, the program has helped create jobs for locals.

"Before tobacco farming, many residents were unemployed during the dry season," he revealed.

That changed with Sampoerna’s tobacco farming partnership program. Previously unproductive land became a source of income. Tobacco farming expanded, requiring more land and labor.

"As you can see, I don’t work the land alone. I currently employ more than 10 of my neighbors," Ansori said.

Tobacco farming has now become an appealing livelihood for Gunem residents, including farmers younger than Ansori.

"Many were initially reluctant to become farmers. But after seeing the success of tobacco farming, they became interested, especially because of the price certainty," he said.

Sampoerna’s partnership program, implemented through a tobacco supplier company, aims to improve tobacco quality and enhance farmers’ welfare.

Through the program, partner farmers receive mentoring, technical guidance, easy access to capital, agricultural production facilities and guaranteed purchase based on agreements.

Besides cultivation mentoring, farmers also receive trainings to minimize environmental impacts and create safe and equitable working conditions.

Various women’s empowerment programs and business mentoring are also offered to the wives of tobacco farmers. These initiatives aim to extend the positive impact of the partnership program to communities surrounding the farmers.

Ansori has also benefited from this comprehensive training and support.

"Everything is taught, from fertilization to the importance of protective equipment and how to care for the tobacco to grow well. Even if we face issues, we receive assistance," he said.

Opening new business opportunities

Suparno, another Sampoerna partner farmer from Kunir village, Rembang, Central Java, shared a similar story. He said that the partnership program had equipped him with valuable knowledge.

"The quality of my harvest continues to improve, and so does my family’s economy," Suparno said, adding that he was even able to perform the Haj pilgrimage from his tobacco farming earnings.

He now owns a house adorned with stained-glass windows depicting tobacco plants.

"This house is a result of tobacco farming," Suparno shared.

Having joined the partnership program in 2010, Suparno has also ventured into other tobacco-related businesses.

Besides farming, he sells burlap sacks, tobacco cutting machines and rigen (bamboo drying racks for tobacco). These items are essential for post-harvest tobacco processing.

"Every tobacco season, many farmers contact me to purchase these items. Especially since tobacco farming in Rembang keeps expanding," he said.

To meet the demands of fellow farmers, Suparno employs craftsmen from various areas in Rembang. When demand for rigen is particularly high, he even involves craftsmen from other regions like Batang regency.

"They also benefit from tobacco farming. The bamboo they use gains added value after being processed into rigen," Suparno explained.

Suparno hopes tobacco farming and the Sampoerna partnership program will continue, so more people can experience its benefits.

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