Perempuan 28 th S3 UGM, Jadi CEO, Berhasil Ekspor Gula Kelapa Sampai Mancanegara!

Summary

Ella Rizki Farihatul Mastuhah, CEO of PT Mira Lestari International, shares her inspiring journey in transforming the coconut farming sector in Magelang. Through the establishment of KWT Mira Lestari, a women's farming group, she empowers local women to leverage the region’s coconut potential for economic growth. Their innovation, including the production of coconut-based honey, has led to successful exports to Korea, the Netherlands, and Malaysia. Ella emphasizes the importance of professional management, transparency, and collaboration in sustainable farming, ultimately improving the lives of local communities while integrating Islamic values into her entrepreneurial efforts.

Takeaways

• 😀 The coconut farming potential in the village is significant, with 480 hectares of coconut plantations in the district alone.
• 😀 Ella Rizki Farihatul Mastuhah, the CEO of PT Mira Lestari International, is a young entrepreneur leading an agricultural business focused on coconut products.
• 😀 The establishment of women’s farming groups (KWT) helps empower local women and allows them to contribute to the family economy, reducing the need for migration to cities for low-paying jobs.
• 😀 A major innovation is the production of coconut flower honey, 'Vega Nektar', which is vegan-friendly and exported to countries like Korea, the Netherlands, and Malaysia.
• 😀 The core of the entrepreneurial effort is to professionalize farming groups by transforming them into business entities (PT Nira Lestari International), allowing for better access to markets and higher income for the local women.
• 😀 Collaboration with local authorities, such as village heads, is essential for the success of community-driven agricultural projects and to ensure the smooth operation of business matching and funding.
• 😀 One of the key success factors for sustainable farming groups is aligning vision and mission, maintaining financial transparency, and ensuring professional management for long-term success.
• 😀 The business has grown substantially, with many women now earning more through coconut sugar production than they did in city jobs, with some even making 3 to 5 times the income.
• 😀 The group also emphasizes CSR initiatives that support education, health, and welfare for the local community, such as providing scholarships and assistance for the underprivileged.
• 😀 The company’s success is underpinned by strong internal communication, leadership, and the role of respected local figures within the community, which helps build trust and solidarity among the group members.
• 😀 Funding for agricultural projects can come from various sources, including government grants, crowdfunding, and collaboration with other institutions, ensuring the financial viability of farming groups.

Q & A

What is the main business that Ella Rizki Farihatul Muftihah is involved in?

Ella Rizki Farihatul Muftihah is the CEO of PT Mira Lestari International, a company focused on agriculture, specifically in the production of coconut sugar.

How did Ella’s initiative help women in her village?

Ella's initiative helped women by providing them with an opportunity to work in coconut sugar production, which is more profitable than their previous city jobs. This allowed the women to contribute to their family’s economy while remaining in their village and fulfilling their roles as homemakers.

What is the significance of the coconut industry in the village?

The coconut industry in Ella's village is very significant, with 480 hectares of coconut plantations. The potential of this industry is large, and Ella used this opportunity to improve the economic situation in the village by processing coconut products like coconut sugar and developing new products like coconut flower honey.

What product did Ella develop from coconut flowers, and what are its benefits?

Ella developed a product called Vega Nektar, which is a coconut flower honey. It is similar to traditional honey but is vegan-friendly, making it suitable for vegetarians. It also has a lower glycemic index, making it safer for diabetic patients.

How did Ella manage to get funding for her agricultural business?

Ella utilized several sources for funding, including government programs like Dana Desa (village funding), crowdfunding, and collaboration with investors. These funding sources allowed her to support and expand her business while helping local women farmers.

What challenges did Ella face when starting her business?

Ella faced challenges such as limited initial participation from the local community, as only five women were willing to switch from city jobs to coconut sugar production. However, after demonstrating the financial benefits, many more women joined the initiative.

What is the importance of professional management in agricultural businesses like Ella’s?

Professional management is crucial for the sustainability of agricultural businesses like Ella’s. By establishing clear visions, transparency in financial management, and ensuring fair compensation for workers, Ella’s business became more efficient and reliable, helping it grow and attract external investments.

How did Ella incorporate innovation into her agricultural business?

Ella incorporated innovation by patenting new technologies like a machine to produce VCO (Virgin Coconut Oil) within three hours, reducing the water content and preventing spoilage. She also conducted research on optimizing coconut products, making her operations more efficient.

What role does communication play in the success of Ella's group, the KWT Mira Lestari?

Communication plays a vital role in the success of the KWT Mira Lestari. Ella emphasizes the importance of having strong leadership within the group. The leaders need to communicate effectively with the members, ensuring that everyone understands the vision, goals, and their responsibilities in the business.

How did Ella’s educational background contribute to her business success?

Ella’s educational background, particularly her doctoral studies in chemistry at Gadjah Mada University, allowed her to apply scientific research and innovation to her business. Her academic knowledge helped her develop unique products and improve the production processes in her agricultural venture.