Banyuwangi. Astra's community development program has helped raise the average monthly income of tourism awareness group (Pokdarwis) members in Kemiren Village, Banyuwangi, East Java, by 33%, demonstrating how cultural preservation can generate sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.

Since joining Astra's Desa Sejahtera Astra program in 2024, Kemiren has strengthened its position as a community-based cultural tourism destination while improving residents' livelihoods. The program has benefited around 300 villagers, supporting 50 homestays with 92 rooms, 40 local businesses in culinary, handicrafts, and coffee, as well as 40 Pokdarwis members involved in tourism management and the preservation of Osing traditions.

The average monthly income of Pokdarwis members has increased from Rp 1.5 million to Rp 2 million ($111), reflecting the growing economic value of the village's cultural tourism activities.

Home to the indigenous Osing community, Kemiren continues to preserve traditions such as the Barong Ider Bumi and Tumpeng Sewu ceremonies, the Gandrung dance, traditional music, local cuisine, and distinctive Osing architecture, all of which have become key attractions for visitors.

Chief of Corporate Affairs Astra Boy Kelana Soebroto said the program demonstrates that cultural preservation and community development can reinforce one another.

"Desa Sejahtera Astra Kemiren shows that preserving culture and developing communities can go hand in hand. Through initiatives in health, education, the environment, and entrepreneurship, Astra believes Osing cultural heritage can continue to thrive while creating broader benefits through improved quality of life, business opportunities, and sustainable prosperity," Boy said.

Astra's support spans four development pillars tailored to the village's needs.

In healthcare, the company has strengthened community health services by improving integrated health posts (Posyandu), providing basic medical facilities, supporting maternal and child health programs, and conducting public health education.

In education, Astra has enhanced early childhood education by supplying learning facilities and educational toys, supporting classroom activities, and introducing local culture to younger generations.

To support sustainable tourism, Astra has also assisted residents in improving waste management through organic and non-organic waste sorting, converting livestock waste into organic fertilizer, developing biogas facilities, establishing environmental awareness groups, and providing waste processing and composting infrastructure.

On the economic front, Astra has strengthened Kemiren's cultural tourism ecosystem by improving tourism facilities, empowering local micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), enhancing the capacity of Pokdarwis members, developing homestays and community businesses, and promoting Osing cultural tourism.

The village's commitment to preserving its cultural heritage while advancing community-based tourism has earned national and international recognition. Since 2019, Kemiren has received several awards, including the Wonderful Indonesia Impact Award, the Anugerah Desa Wisata Indonesia (ADWI), and the ASEAN Tourism Award 2025. It was also selected for the Best Tourism Village Upgrade Program 2025, further reinforcing its reputation as a sustainable cultural tourism destination.

Separately, Astra, through Yayasan Astra–Yayasan Dharma Bhakti Astra, has also supported dragon fruit farmers in nearby Sumbermulyo Village. Working with the SME Development Center (PPU), the program has improved farmers' organizational capacity, organic farming practices, post-harvest quality, and market access.

As a result, the farmers obtained organic cultivation certification, while total harvests nearly doubled from 316 tons in 2021 to 595 tons in 2025. Group revenue also surged from Rp 1.9 billion to Rp 11.9 billion ($662.5 thousand) over the same period. Fresh and processed dragon fruit products are now sold domestically and exported to Singapore and Hong Kong.

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