Arconesia wins ASEAN SEDP 3.0: Championing Youth Empowerment through Innovative Oil Palm-Watermelon Intercropping
The ASEAN Social Enterprise Development Program (SEDP) 3.0, hosted by the ASEAN Foundation and supported by TikTok and SAP, aims to empower impactful social enterprises across the ASEAN region. The program provides comprehensive training, strategic networking opportunities, and grant funding to facilitate sustainable social initiatives throughout the region.
Out of over 250 social enterprises from 10 ASEAN countries, only 30 were selected to receive collective grants totaling USD 45,100. Each enterprise was supported through mentorship designed to maximize their social projects’ effectiveness and scalability. During the ASEAN SEDP 3.0 Demo Day, Arconesia stood out and earned first place for its compelling and impactful project.
Arconesia presented a project aimed at empowering young Indonesians to pursue careers in agriculture through an innovative oil palm-watermelon intercropping model. Indonesia is currently grappling with a severe shortage of young farmers—a crisis that threatens future food security. According to projections by Bappenas, the alarming decline of young farmers could result in Indonesia facing a complete lack of farmers by 2063.
A significant barrier deterring youth from agriculture is limited access to farming land, exacerbated by rapid agricultural land conversion to non-agricultural use. Increasing land scarcity leads to higher rental costs and difficulty in obtaining capital, as banks typically require land as collateral. Additionally, inexperienced farmers face substantial risks of crop failure without adequate guidance.
Recognizing these challenges, Arconesia developed a nucleus farmer scheme to facilitate youth engagement in farming without the burden of land ownership or rental costs. By utilizing oil palm plantation land during replanting periods for watermelon intercropping, young farmers can cultivate crops without additional land expenses. This symbiotic relationship benefits plantation owners by protecting their lands from weeds, preventing soil erosion, enhancing nutrient availability, and reducing maintenance costs by up to 60%. Additionally, residues from watermelon plants provide organic fertilizer for the palm trees, creating a sustainable farming ecosystem.
Arconesia’s model also provides young farmers access to capital without collateral, comprehensive agronomic guidance, and market access. Crucially, the young farmers bear no risk of crop failure, as Arconesia assumes full responsibility for all agricultural risks. Instead, participants receive a guaranteed monthly salary, weekly accommodations, and performance-based bonuses. This innovative framework serves as an effective incubator for youth, preparing them to eventually progress into professional, independent farming roles.
After completing two to three successful farming cycles under the nucleus farmer scheme, young farmers transition to Arconesia’s Plasma Farmer program. This next step grants them interest-free capital loans repayable post-harvest, empowering farmers to independently manage agricultural risks and retain 100% of their profits.
Arconesia’s ASEAN SEDP 3.0 project has been successfully implemented in Air Kemuning Village, Seluma Regency, Bengkulu Province, through a 3-hectare demonstration plot showcasing oil palm-watermelon intercropping. The outcomes have been remarkable, with young farmers experiencing income increases of up to 50%. The project has also generated substantial employment opportunities, particularly benefiting local women involved in planting, pollination, and harvesting activities.
Moving forward, Arconesia hopes this pioneering initiative will inspire wider community adoption of intercropping practices and encourage stakeholders to actively support and mainstream oil palm intercropping due to its substantial economic, social, and environmental benefits.
Join Arconesia’s journey in reshaping the future of agriculture. Together, let’s empower youth, enhance food security, and nurture sustainable oil palm practices across Indonesia and beyond.
