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Merauke, 8 December 2025 – PT Bio Inti Agrindo (PT BIA) facilitates local communities in gaining market access for rubber cultivation products in and around their villages. Communities participating in the economic empowerment program through rubber tapping include Selil, Muting, Pachas, Boha, Waan, Selaw, and Kolam villages.

This empowerment initiative began with a potential assessment conducted in 2024. At that time, rubber plantations were underutilized due to a lengthy supply chain and low purchase prices offered by middlemen, which reduced community interest in rubber tapping.

A series of capacity-building activities—including rubber field schools, the provision of tapping equipment, and the direct engagement of buyers from Surabaya with logistical support—has helped shorten the rubber supply chain and enable communities to sell their products at more competitive prices.

After tapping, the rubber is processed into sheets and prepared for delivery to buyers. In December 2025, total rubber production reached 3.7 tons, directly contributing to increased household income in the supported villages.
The rubber purchasing program is designed as a stimulus. The support provided serves as an initial trigger for communities, together with village governments, to manage rubber resources independently and sustainably. Rubber business groups also received training in basic financial management.

Through synergy between communities and village governments, PT BIA aims to establish a stronger and more independent rubber supply chain. In the long term, the program is expected to provide communities with stable livelihoods and improve their overall standard of living.