Minahasa, 30 May 2025 (PR) - Following the success of the first harvest of Gustavi local tomatoes in November 2024, PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) (IDX: PGEO) is now celebrating the Katrili Harvest Festival 2025 in Tonsewer Village, West Tompaso, Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi, on Monday (26/05). This harvest signifies PGE Lahendong area's contribution in supporting food security based on local community participation.
In this event, four local commodities were harvested, including Gustavi tomatoes, shallots, batik beans, and rice. The four agricultural commodities were planted with Katrili Booster, an innovative agricultural product developed from residual geothermal deposits, as a collaboration between PGE Lahendong area and Gadjah Mada University (UGM).
The harvest celebration was attended by various stakeholders, including Minahasa Regent Robby Dondokambey, Minahasa Vice Regent Vanda Sarundajang, Commander of the 13th Regional Military Command (Merdeka) Major General TNI Suhardi, Proper Advisory Board of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) Prof. Ir. Joni Hermana, M.Sc.ES., Ph.D., Operations Director at PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk Ahmad Yani, Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation at the Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM) Ir. Ali Awaludin, ST, M.Eng., Ph.D., IPU., ACPE., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni of Faculty of Agricultural Engineering ((FT Pertanian UGM) Dr. Sri Rahayoe, S.T.P., M.P., Katrili Research Team Leader Ir. Pri Utami, M.Sc., Ph.D., IPM, UGM research team, local government representatives, and partner farmer groups.
Operations Director at PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk Ahmad Yani said that the harvest event is a clear proof of how the potential of geothermal energy can provide benefits that go beyond electricity generation. Ahmad Yani said PGE has been present in Lahendong, North Sulawesi, since 2001. During that time, PGE has always built collaboration and synergy with communities around the area.
“From these interactions, ideas emerged that we researched and developed with UGM as our contribution to help 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, the Minahasa Protestant Church (Kerapatan Gereja Protestan Minahasa/KGPM) and the Christian Evangelical Church in Minahasa (Gereja Masehi Injili di Minahasa/GMIM). The farmer groups come from various villages around the Lahendong Area PGE Geothermal Working Area.
Minahasa Regent Robby Dondokambey positively welcomed the implementation of the harvest and the utilization of the Katrili Booster. Robby also said that as an alumnus of UGM, he felt proud to be an important part in supporting food security in the area he leads. Robby also said that this kind of harvest initiative is part of the real implementation of the spirit of mutual cooperation that continues to be maintained in his area.
“The initiation of this activity—a synergy between the business sector, the community, and the government—is a crucial part of the success of various strategic programs, including the planting movement, strengthening food security, and controlling regional inflation,” he said.
Prior to this harvest, the farmers together with the UGM research team conducted trials in utilizing the Katrili Booster. This trial was conducted in the demonstration plot owned by PGE Lahendong area in Tonsewer and South Tonsewer villages. Of the four crop commodities, trials were conducted in three different treatments, including: (1) using only chemical fertilizers; (2) using only Katrili Booster; and (3) a combination of both.
“We have directly felt the benefits. The plants are more resistant to pests and diseases, the physical appearance of the tomato fruit is larger, and products have increased significantly. Additionally, the use of the Katrili booster has provided economic savings, reducing fertilizer costs by nearly 20–30 percent,” said Rommi Seran, a representative of the GMIM Farmers Group.
Meanwhile, the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation at the Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM) Ir. Ali Awaludin, ST, M.Eng., Ph.D., IPU., ACPE., explained that the Katrili Booster is a concrete example of utilizing local resources to address agricultural challenges.
“This is what we need to believe, that solutions to various problems are all around us. It’s just a matter of changing our mindset and inviting our colleagues from both academia and industry to discover these solutions together,” said Ali Awaludin.
Katrili Harvest Festival: A Celebration of Local Wisdom
Overall, Panen Raya Katrili 2025 (Katrili Harvest Festival 2025) was a celebration of local cultural wisdom. At this event, participants were served local gastronomy featuring typical dishes made from their own produce, such as jaha rice and bamboo chicken. The feast concluded with a performance of the Katrili dance, a traditional Minahasa dance performed by young people in pairs as a form of celebration and thanksgiving.
Going forward, PGE hopes that the Katrili Booster can be part of a grand strategy—not only to boost agricultural productivity but also to expand the utilization of geothermal energy.
“At PGE, we believe there are still many opportunities to achieve independent national energy and food security. Moving forward, our geothermal business will not only focus on electricity but also on ‘Beyond Electricity’ initiatives, which can positively impact various sectors, including agriculture, tourism, and more. Of course, this goal can only be achieved through continuous collaboration and research, ensuring that the results benefit the wider community,” Ahmad Yani concluded.
