Petrokimia Gresik, an Agroindustrial Solutions company and member of the Pupuk Indonesia holding, has successfully increased the productivity of melon farmers in the East Java Pantura region by up to 10 percent through the “Pestani Melon Pantura” program involving 210 farmers. This program also drove an average increase in farmer income of 15 percent within one cultivation cycle.
The Director of Finance and General Affairs of Petrokimia Gresik, Adityo Wibowo, during the "Grand Harvest & Appreciation of Pestani Melon Pantura" event in Tuban, East Java, Tuesday (7/4/2026), stated that this Pestani program is a stimulus provided by Petrokimia Gresik to encourage farmers to increase melon productivity and quality, as well as their income. Agricultural success, he added, is the foundation for food security and community welfare.
"This program is a collaborative movement between Petrokimia Gresik and farmers. Here we can witness that innovation, cultivation discipline, and the proper use of fertilizers are capable of producing melons with large sizes and optimal sweetness," said Adit, as Adityo Wibowo is familiarly called.
Pestani Melon Pantura is a melon cultivation competition that involves farmers from the planting, maintenance, to harvest stages. This competition was attended by hundreds of farmers from the Pantura region, ranging from Tuban, Bojonegoro, Lamongan, Ngawi, to Gresik Regency.
Participants received support in the form of planting packages or agricultural production facilities from Petrokimia Gresik, including Phonska Lite, K-Plus, Phonska Cair, Phosgreen, ZA Plus, and Petro Biofertil fertilizers. Through this activity, farmers can directly prove that the use of Petrokimia Gresik products contributes to increasing harvest yields and commodity quality.
The competition judging covered three main aspects, namely fruit weight, sweetness level (brix), and cultivation documentation. Participants were also challenged to produce melons with a weight approaching 5.4 kilograms, aligned with the upcoming 54th anniversary of Petrokimia Gresik on July 10, 2026.
Meanwhile, this activity was able to increase the productivity of Pantura melon farmers from an average of 18 tons to 20 tons per hectare. In addition, farmer income also increased in one cultivation cycle to an average of Rp22 million.
"We hope the success and cultivation methods of these competition participants can be emulated by other melon farmers, so that the benefits of this program become wider and more sustainable," said Adit.
The Pestani held by Petrokimia Gresik in Pantura is the third program the company has run. Previously, Pestani targeted potato commodity farmers in Dieng Raya and watermelon farmers in the Tapal Kuda region of East Java. Just as in Pantura, this program was also able to increase horticultural agricultural productivity in both regions.
"We want to emphasize Petrokimia Gresik's commitment to continue being a strategic partner for farmers, not only as a fertilizer provider, but also as a friend to grow together in increasing productivity, harvest quality, and farmer welfare," said Adit.
Meanwhile, the 1st Place Winner of Pestani Melon Pantura, Suhartoyo, expressed that this Pestani competition has made melon farmers in the East Java Pantura area more insightful in facing challenges. Especially since the weather was quite extreme when the cultivation for the competition was held yesterday.
"The use of Petrokimia Gresik products is able to increase productivity and quality, especially the weight of the melon fruit. The growth is better compared to the previous season, with the same weather. Fertilizer from Petrokimia Gresik is able to be the best solution," said Suhartoyo, a melon farmer and also the Village Head of Klotok, Plumpang District, Tuban Regency.
As for the appreciation moment of this competition, a grand harvest of melons from the demonstration plot was also held, along with the signing of a mural as a symbol of commitment to developing competitive melon cultivation, a melon tumpeng parade, as well as wiwarah or sharing as much as 540 kilograms of melons with the community. The melons shared with the general public were the result of the competition participants' cultivation, where the amount is also identical to Petrokimia Gresik's age this year.
“We ask for the prayers and support of the community so that Petrokimia Gresik at the age of 54 becomes even smoother, and continues to provide even greater benefits for farmers and the community,” Adit concluded.
Attachments
| File | Type | Size | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 SP Pestani Melon Pantura FINAL | 143 KB | Download |
