press release CHERISH program generates great harvest
PT CPI supports food security aid in the middle of pandemic
Pekanbaru, December 15 2020 – The food security aid program initiated by PT. Chevron Pacific Indonesia (PT CPI) which is part of the Chevron’s Program for a Healthy and Prosperous Riau or known as CHERISH (Chevron untuk Riau Sehat dan Sejahtera) starts to reap the benefits. Around 50 hectares of rice fields in Petapahan Village, Tapung, Kampar entered the harvest season. The government and community held a massive harvest event last Saturday (12/12).
The harvest event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Riau, Edy Natar Nasition; The Regent of Kampar Catur Sugeng; the Rector of University of Riau (Unri), Prof. Dr. Ir Aras Mulyadi, DEA, and GM Corporate Affairs Asset PT CPI, Sukamto Tamrin. "Thanks to Unri and PT CPI for initiating this program in order to help the government to maintain and improve food security in Riau," said Deputy Governor Edy Natar in his speech. This great harvest, he continued, is one of the programs that makes Riau proud in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic situation. “This program truly gives an extraordinary motivation".
PT CPI designed the CHERISH Program to support emergency response to mitigate the pandemic impact that can also contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Riau. The program includes three main activities, namely the Food Security Aid Program, Establishment of a COVID-19 Disease Alert Village, and Construction of Clean Water Well. This program uses direct funding from Chevron Corporations."
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the community’s economy. Therefore, PT CPI took the initiative to support government programs, especially the agricultural sector, so that it can strengthen the stability of food supply," said GM Corporate Affairs Asset PT CPI, Sukamto Tamrin.
The Deputy Governor of Riau, Edy Natar Nasution (fourth from left) when he was attending at the harvest activity in Petapahan Village, Tapung, Kampar. Right photo, packaged rice labeled “Petapahan Elok”
The harvest in Petapahan Village produces delicious packaged rice products called "Petapahan Elok". M. Ihsan, a farmer, said that PT CPI's assistance really helps the farmer groups in cultivating the land. 'Prior to receiving farming equipment like tractor from Chevron, it took us longer to plow the fields. After this assistance arrived, we were able to plow two or three hectares in a day. Thank you Chevron and Unri”, said Ihsan, the leader of Gemuruh Lestari famer group.
In the Food Security Aid Program, PT CPI provides assistance to 20 farmer groups spread across six districts/cities, namely Pekanbaru, Kampar, Siak, Bengkalis, Dumai, and Rokan Hilir. This assistance programs provide agricultural production facilities, training, and assistance according to the identification of the needs of each group. In addition, they received product promotion techniques in digital marketing training.
In this program, PT CPI is partnering with Unri Research Institution and Community Service (LPPM Unri). This institution conducts verification, aid distribution, and accompaniment of the farmer groups. PT CPI is also partnering with the Center of Entrepreneurship, Change and Third Sector Universitas Trisakti (CECT Trisakti) to provide digital marketing training. The Food Security Aid activities have been running for about six months. Monitoring of the activities will continue to be carried out to ensure the sustainability of the program.
In addition, this CHERISH program also includes the establishment of COVID-19 Disease Alert Village in collaboration with Yayasan Kemanusiaan Madani Indonesia (YKMI); and constructed a clean water well in partnership with LLPM Muhammadiyah Riau University.
During the pandemic, PT CPI is committed to donate the total of 11.6 million rupiahs. In addition, SKK Migas – PT CPI distributed approximately 2,000 hazmat suits; 99,000 face masks; 6,000 bottles of hand sanitizer; 73 medical beds and mattresses; infrared thermometer; and 8,050 grocery packages food distributed through task forces at the district, city and provincial levels.
