March 08th, 2026
PT Dirgantara Indonesia Develops Sorghum as an Alternative Food in West Java
BUMN News - Efforts to strengthen regional food security continue to be pushed through the development of alternative commodities.
One such initiative was carried out by PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PDTI), which, together with the West Java Provincial Food Crops and Horticulture Service (Distanhorti), held the first sorghum harvest in Plumbon, Cirebon Regency, West Java.
This activity took place on the land of the Rice and Secondary Crops Seed Center (UPTD).
Several regional figures attended the event, including the Deputy Governor of West Java, Erwan Setiawan, and prominent West Java community figure, Umuh Muchtar, as well as the Head of the West Java Provincial Distanhorti, Dadan Hidayat.
The harvest was a continuation of the sorghum planting program that began in October 2025 through PTDI's Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) program.
This program aims to encourage food diversification while reducing dependence on primary food commodities.
Sorghum was chosen because of its good adaptability to various soil conditions and relative drought resistance.
Besides being a food source, this plant also has the potential to be used as animal feed and as a source of biomass energy.
On the same occasion, PTDI also signed a land use agreement with community leader Umuh Muchtar to develop a sorghum cultivation area in the Jatigede area, Sumedang Regency.
The signing was carried out by PTDI President Director Gita Amperiawan and Umuh Muchtar.
This collaboration is expected to strengthen the sorghum cultivation ecosystem and open economic opportunities for local farmers.
In addition, PTDI has also established a joint commitment with the Cereals Directorate, Directorate General of Food Crops, Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) of the Republic of Indonesia, to develop sorghum land in West Java.
Through this collaboration, cultivation development is planned to encompass approximately 10 hectares of land, including technical assistance for farmers and small businesses.
As part of its industrial support, PTDI is also preparing technological contributions, including the development of sorghum processing machinery to increase the added value of the harvest.
Currently, the initial cultivation program has been carried out on approximately 1.5 hectares of land, with the potential for harvests up to three times a year.
Seeing the promising results, the cultivation area is planned to be expanded starting in May 2026.
"Utilizing sorghum as an alternative food source and also as a biomass source is part of PTDI's commitment through the CSR program to encourage community empowerment and local-based economic development.
"This initiative not only presents innovative solutions that align with strengthening food security, but also creates added value for farmers and supports sustainable development that has a real impact on the environment and community well-being," said Gita Amperiawan.***
Source: https://www.kabarbumn.com/tjsl/117281726/pt-dirgantara-indonesia-kembangkan-sorgum-sebagai-pangan-alternatif-di-jawa-barat