Jakarta. Indonesian conglomerate Astra reported that its Desa Sejahtera Astra program in a Bali village had helped boost the local community's income by around 25%.

Desa Sejahtera Astra is the company's flagship rural empowerment campaign. This program has reached Desa Les which lies on the north coast of the tourist haven Bali. Desa Les joined the program in 2024. Since then, the company has launched initiatives aimed not only at improving community welfare but also at preserving the village's natural and cultural heritage.  The initiatives have reached more than 800 residents, boosting their incomes by 25%, creating new jobs, and expanding market access for local products, according to a press release.

Under this program, Astra has partnered with the local community to beef up healthcare services via posyandus and maternal education. It has also provided supplementary feeding for stunted and malnourished kids. The Desa Sejahtera Astra Desa Les campaign has also encouraged local youth to take English classes to prepare for international tourists.

Vilalgers also actively participate in coral reef conservation and transplantation, develops community-based waste management through the Les Grow program, and processes organic waste into compost for use at a local waste facility garden.

These initiatives not only preserve the coastal environment but also provide additional economic value for the community.

Cultural preservation also goes hand in hand with strengthening the community's economy. The tradition of natural salt making, passed down from generation to generation, remains pivotal in this village. The people now are able to produce around two to three tons of salt each harvest season. They will then sell the salt to various regions in Indonesia. They have even partnered with the Giri Segara village-owned enterprise and the Bali provincial government to market the local products and develop the small businesses. This has opened up opportunities to sell up to one ton of salt per month. The transactions can total Rp 25 million (around $1,391) a month.

"Through Desa Sejahtera Astra, we believe village development is not only about driving economic growth but also about maintaining a balance between progress, environmental sustainability, and the cultural identity of local communities," Astra Chief of Corporate Affairs Boy Kelana Soebroto said.

"Astra hopes the collaboration fostered through Desa Sejahtera Astra will continue to improve community welfare while preserving nature and local traditions so the benefits can be enjoyed sustainably by both present and future generations."

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