After the success of the first harvest of local Gustavi tomatoes in November 2024, PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) (IDX: PGEO) is now celebrating the 2025 Katrili Grand Harvest in Tonsewer Village, Tompaso Barat District, Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi, Monday (26/05). This grand harvest marks PGE's contribution in the Lahendong area to supporting food security based on local community participation.
In this event, four local commodities were harvested, namely Gustavi tomatoes, shallots, batik beans, and rice. The four agricultural commodities were planted using the Katrili booster, an agricultural product innovation developed from the remaining geothermal deposits resulting from the collaboration between PGE in the Lahendong area and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM).
The harvest celebration was attended by various stakeholders, including Minahasa Regent Robby Dondokambey, Minahasa Deputy Regent Vanda Sarundajang, Commander of the 13th Merdeka Military Region Command Major General TNI Suhardi, KLHK Proper Advisory Council Prof. Ir. Joni Hermana, M.Sc.ES., Ph.D., Director of Operations of PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk Ahmad Yani, Deputy Dean for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation of the Faculty of Engineering UGM Ir. Ali Awaludin, ST, M.Eng., Ph.D., IPU., ACPE., Deputy Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering UGM, Dr. Sri Rahayoe, S.T.P., M.P., Head of the Katrili Research Team Ir. Pri Utami, M.Sc., Ph.D., IPM., UGM research team, representatives of local governments, and partner farmer groups. Director of Operations of PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk Ahmad Yani said that this grand harvest event is real evidence of how the potential of geothermal energy can provide benefits beyond just electricity generation. Ahmad Yani said that PGE has been present in Lahendong, North Sulawesi, since 2001. During that time, he said, PGE has always built collaboration and synergy with the community around the area.
"From this interaction, ideas emerged that we researched and developed together with UGM as our contribution to helping farmers. This is the implementation of our vision to realize sustainable development and national food security," said Ahmad Yani in his speech
The farmers involved in this activity came from two farmer groups, namely the Minahasa Protestant Church Council (KGPM) and the Minahasa Christian Gospel Church (GMIM). These farmer groups came from various villages around the PGE Lahendong Geothermal Working Area (WKP).
Minahasa Regent Robby Dondokambey welcomed the implementation of the grand harvest and the use of the Katrili booster. Robby also admitted that as a UGM alumni, he felt proud to be an important part in supporting food security in the area he led. Robby also said that the harvest initiative like this was part of the real implementation of the spirit of mutual cooperation that was continuously maintained in his area.
"The initiation of this activity, the synergy between the business world, the community, and the government, is a very important part in making various strategic programs a success, including the planting movement, strengthening food security, and controlling regional inflation," he said.
Before this harvest, farmers together with the UGM research team conducted a trial in utilizing the Katrili booster. This trial was conducted on a pilot plot or demonstration plot owned by PGE in the Lahendong area in Tonsewer Village and South Tonsewer. Of the four crop commodities, trials were conducted in three different treatments, namely: (1) using only chemical fertilizers; (2) using only the Katrili booster; and (3) a combination of both.
"We feel the benefits directly. Plants become more resistant to pests and diseases, the physical appearance of tomatoes is larger, and agricultural yields have increased significantly. In addition, the use of this Katrili booster has saved economics because the cost of purchasing fertilizer has been reduced by almost 20-30 percent," said Rommi Seran, representative of the GMIM Farmer Group.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Dean for Research, Community Service and Cooperation of the Faculty of Engineering UGM Ir. Ali Awaludin, ST, M.Eng., Ph.D., IPU., ACPE. explained that this Katrili booster is a real form of utilizing local resources as a solution to agricultural problems.
"This is what we need to believe, that the solution to various problems is around us. It's just a matter of how we change our mindset and invite campus friends and industry to find the solution together," said Ali Awaludin.
Katrili Grand Harvest: Celebration of Local Wisdom
Overall, the 2025 Katrili Grand Harvest is an agenda for celebrating local cultural wisdom. At this event, the participants were treated to local gastronomy through special dishes from local produce, such as nasi jaha and ayam buluh. Finally, the people's party was closed with a performance of the Katrili dance, a typical Minahasa dance danced by young people there in pairs as a form of celebration and gratitude.
In the future, PGE hopes that the Katrili booster can be part of a grand strategy not only in encouraging agricultural productivity, but also the wider use of geothermal energy.
"At PGE, we believe there are still many opportunities to realize independent national energy and food security. In the future, our geothermal business will not only focus on electricity, but also 'Beyond Electricity', which can contribute positively to various sectors, including agriculture, tourism, and so on. Of course, this goal can only be achieved through collaboration and continuous research, so that the results can benefit the wider community," concluded Ahmad Yani.
