Bayat District in Klaten Regency, Central Java, is part of the Bengawan Solo watershed and is largely dominated by agricultural activities. Corn, rice, and tobacco farming are among the main economic drivers for local communities. While these activities provide stable livelihoods, intensive and repetitive land use – combined with high inputs of chemical and organic fertilizers – has contributed to declining soil productivity and increased nutrient runoff. 

Over time, these practices have led to serious environmental challenges. Several areas in the district experience flooding and soil erosion, with estimated erosion rates reaching 50 – 150 tons per hectare per year on cultivated slopes. The decline of organic matter in the soil reduces fertility and water retention, resulting in drought, particularly during the dry season. 

“Our initial identification found that the soil in Bayat District lacks fertility, and several surrounding areas suffer from severe drought, worsened by limited access to water sources,” said Minan, Acting Project Manager at Trees4Trees. 

Initial Step: Planting 400 Teak Trees 

To support local communities in tackling these challenges, Alliance One Indonesia (AOI) and Indonesia Tri Sembilan (ITS), continued their green commitment as tobacco producers by planting 400 teak trees in collaboration with Trees4Trees. It marked the first step of a larger tree-planting initiative for the current planting season, with a total target of more than 4,800 trees. 

This effort builds on previous initiatives in East Java. During 2023 and 2024, AOI and ITS planted more than 11,000 trees across several villages near their operational areas in Bojonegoro Regency. This planting season, the initiative expanded to Bayat District in Klaten Regency – one of their tobacco supply areas – reflecting a long-term commitment to supporting both local communities and surrounding landscapes. 

“Teaks grow well in this location. We hope that in 15 years, the trees we planted will flourish into dense teak stands like those we see nearby,” Minan said, pointing to thriving teak-covered areas in the nearby.  

Involving Staff as Tree-Planting Volunteers 

As in previous years, the tree-planting event actively involved staff members from both AOI and ITS, reinforcing the companies’ view that sustainability is a shared responsibility. 

“Through this activity, we contribute to reducing the impacts of deforestation and environmental degradation,” said Agung Pribadi Kiswara, AOI Regional CSVS Sustainability Manager. “We hope to plant more trees so our Earth becomes greener, and we can help establish healthier lungs for the planet.” 

Wulan Pristya, AOI Talent Management Manager, who joined as a volunteer, shared that this was her first experience planting trees. “I am very excited, and I hope more people and institutions are willing to plant trees – not just through events like this, but continuously – so we can truly sustain our natural environment,” she said. She added that the trees planted during the event would provide long-term benefits for both the environment and local communities. 

Expanding Green Impact in Klaten Regency: Three Years Collaboration 

The expansion of this green commitment – from Bojonegoro Regency in East Java to Bayat District in Klaten Regency, Central Java – also marks three years collaboration between AOI, ITS, and Trees4Trees in tree-planting initiatives. 

Under the theme “Grow the Change, Sustain the Future,” the tree planting now spans three villages in Bayat District. This brings their cumulative contribution to more than 15,800 trees planted since 2023. The initiative involves over 50 local farmers, providing them with environmental benefits as well as additional income opportunities from non-timber forest products. 

“In addition to teak, we also provide hardwood trees like albizia, cadamba, and gamal, as well as fruit trees like rudraksha, avocado, stinky beans, and jackfruits. These offer both ecological and economic benefits to local communities,” Minan explained.   

Marathun Chassanah, Central Java Unit Manager at Trees4Trees, confirmed that all seedlings had been successfully distributed. “The distribution process was completed in early January, and farmers are currently planting the trees they received,” she said. Monitoring will follow to ensure healthy growth. 

A Hope for the Future: Strengthening the Watershed and Securing Water Sources 

Beyond serving as a tobacco supply area for AOI and ITS, Klaten Regency plays a strategic role as part of the Bengawan Solo watershed. This makes tree planting in the area essential for restoring degraded land, protecting ecosystems, and strengthening the region’s water system. 

“This area is part of a critical watershed where tree planting is essential to rehabilitate degraded land and safeguard the ecosystem,” said Erwien Permana, Operational Manager Klaten at AOI. He emphasized that expanding tree planting along the watershed aligns with the company’s sustainability goals, particularly in protecting waterways and generating broader environmental and social benefits. 

Sharing a similar outlook, Minan also expresses hope that tree-planting will gradually improve the watershed health. “By restoring soil quality, we can help reduce erosion and drought risks, while improving water retention and availability for local communities in the long term,” he explained. 

Writer: V. Arnila Wulandani. Photo: Y. Dessenita, Henning Ilmi, Mar’atun Chassanah