The journey to the remote eastern part of Lebak District in Banten Province, Indonesia, leads to Hariang Village, a place nestled between steep mountains and rolling hills, where arenga palm trees have grown for generations. For hundreds of farmers, these trees are more than part of the landscape; they are a lifeline.
Since 1989, the Mitra Mandala Farmers Collective Enterprise (KUB Mitra Mandala) has stood as a pillar of this community, guided by a simple yet powerful vision: “from farmers, for the world.” It serves as a home for arenga farmers, equipping them with knowledge and skills to practice sustainable, low-risk farming while producing high-quality arenga palm sugar.
Today, Mitra Mandala brings together 148 farmers managing 179.2 hectares, most of which are certified organic under international standards. What was once a traditional process has evolved into the production of crystal arenga palm sugar, opening doors to both domestic and global markets.
Recognizing the strong market potential of arenga sugar, the APFP-FO4A program supported KUB Mitra Mandala in scaling up its operations. With a USD 20,000 grant in 2022, the cooperative strengthened its processing capacity. It expanded its market reach, improving distribution systems, building partnerships, and increasing promotional efforts at both national and local levels. The goal: to increase production and capture a larger share of Indonesia’s growing domestic market.
The Asia-Pacific Farmers’ Program (APFP) – Farmers’ Organizations for Asia (FO4A) is implemented by the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and La Via Campesina (LVC), with funding from the European Union (EU) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The program aims to strengthen the capacities of farmers’ organizations to provide economic services, advocate for enabling policies, and promote sustainable livelihoods for small-scale family farmers across Asia.
The results have been transformative.
“After the program, there were significant improvements,” shares Anwar, Chairman of Mitra Mandala. “We transitioned from manual to computerized accounting systems. Our market expanded, our revenue increased, and the benefits reached not only our members but the wider village.”
Sales data tells the same story. Average monthly sales grew from just 4–7 tons in early 2023 to 15–20 tons by the end of the year. Total sales reached 68 tons in 2023 and surged to 163 metric tons in 2024. By the third quarter of 2025, the cooperative had already sold 110 tons—marking a 135% increase in just one year, with more than 148 farmers benefiting.
Nengsih, a member for over a decade, shares how training improved her processing practices and product quality. “We learned to produce cleaner products,” she says. “KUB Mitra Mandala also supports us with tools, farming equipment, and capital.” Yet challenges remain, such as protecting palm trees from monkeys, which farmers currently manage using bamboo coverings.
For Kamsari, also a member and staff of the cooperative, it has been life-changing. “It helped me economically. I increased my income and learned better processing techniques. As long as KUB Mitra Mandala accepts me, I will continue working here.”
Anim, another farmer, speaks of education made possible through arenga sugar. “I can send my children to school—one is in high school, the other in university. I save one kilogram of sugar per day for six months to pay tuition fees.” In difficult weeks, when production drops, he relies on loans from the cooperative, repaying them once his harvest improves.
Despite the progress, challenges persist. Climate variability, shifting between extreme rainy and dry seasons, affects production. There is also growing concern about the sustainability of raw materials, as replanting efforts have not kept pace.
Looking ahead, Mitra Mandala is embracing innovation. “We are starting to develop digital marketing to expand our market and reach our targets,” says Anwar.
The story of Hariang Village is one of resilience, cooperation, and shared vision. With continued support from multiple stakeholders, arenga palm sugar has the potential to grow into a strong, sustainable farmer-led enterprise—one that not only sweetens markets around the world, but also secures livelihoods at home.
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