Jambi, 21 December 2023 – UNDP, United Nations organization dedicated to combating poverty, injustice, and climate change, together with the National Amil Zakat Agency (BAZNAS), organized a discussion involving local government officials from the Jambi Province, Sarolangun, Merangin, and Kerinci districts, as well as local governments and community leaders. The discussion focused on the optimization of local resource management and sustainable livelihoods.

All parties assembled in an effort to build synergy, exchange ideas, and expand initiatives to further development of community-based local economies by integrating the presence of existing Micro Hydro Power Plants (PLTMH) in five villages.

After receiving guidance from representatives of UNDP, BAZNAS, and the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda Province of Jambi), the discussion focused on the achievements and lessons learned presented by Infron Syafrizal from LTB and Yusnibar from the Kawa Village Farmer House Group in Lubuk Bangkar, Sarolangun District. It was followed by a session of sharing experiences among villages regarding the benefits and challenges of Micro Hydro Power Plant (PLTMH) management. The objective of this session is to extract collective insights and foster coordination among villages in the effective management and optimization of PLTMH use. This collaborative effort is envisioned to bring about tangible benefits for the residents in the surrounding areas.

Head of Innovative Financing Lab, UNDP Indonesia, Muhammad Didi Hardiana stated, "We hope that this discussion can serve as a platform for stakeholders to strengthen synergy, with the ultimate goal of delivering direct benefits to the community."

"This dissemination serves as shared learning as well as a record of the best practices and blessings, providing benefits to the people," emphasized Eka Budhi Sulistyo, Direktur Pendayagunaan BAZNAS RI.

Zamromy from the Department of Plantation and Food Crops of Sarolangun District, who was present at the discussion event, expressed appreciation for the synergy established among the parties, stating, "We are very grateful to UNDP, BAZNAS, Setara, and LTB for their contributions in assisting Lubuk Bangkar Village. We hope that the beneficiaries can optimize the support provided. As our support, last month the Regent of Sarolangun provided 3000 coffee seedlings along with fertilizers to the farmers of Lubuk Bangkar Village."

It can be apprised that since 2017UNDP and BAZNAS have forged a collaborative alliance aimed at advancing the accessibility of renewable energy within the Jambi Province. With the support of Bank Jambi, two Micro Hydro Power Plant (PLTMH) installations were successfully built: one in Lubuk Bangkar Village, Sarolangun District, with a capacity of 60 kW, and another in Renah Kasah Village, Kerinci District, with a capacity of 40 kW. Three other PLTMH installations in Ngaol Village, Air Liki Village, and Air Liki Baru Village in Merangin District were also revitalized. All five PLTMH installations are operational and continue to benefit more than 4,000 residents.

Village Chief Radinal Muchtar of Lubuk Bangkar expressed, "We are delighted to meet today with the PLTMH managers from other villages. It turns out we face similar challenges, but the management of the PLTMH in Renah Kasah Kerinci Village is much more advanced; they already use tokens or credit similar to PLN (state electricity company). Of course, we also want progress to establish a payment system using credits so that manual billing, as it has been so far, does not become an obstacle. We could utilize Village Funds for this purpose."Top of Form

The BAZNAS-UNDP collaboration continues with the development of the local economy, encompassing agricultural commodities such as coffee, along with the strengthening of SMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises). In addition to enhancing coffee production capacity, activities include the processing of organic fertilizer and horticultural plants, as well as facilitating support for equipment and supplies, such as coffee drying facilities.

“Positive things like this need to be coordinated so that they can synergize with each other. This year, the provincial government, through the BioCF Program, is empowering coffee farmers in Mekar Sari Village, Sarolangun Regency. "By having the same activities in Lubuk Bangkar Village, we can learn from each other and farmers can exchange knowledge," concluded Subhan as Provincial Bappeda.

Specifically, for Lubuk Bangkar Village, with its tourist attraction, Bukit Tempurung, the development of an ecotourism model and business plan is strengthened through coordinated efforts among community elements, in collaboration with the Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes). An approach that considers gender mainstreaming, including the involvement of youth and the elderly, is also promoted to create an inclusive environment for everyone.