From Barren Land to Global Market: The Success Story of Pertamina-Supported DDistillers

Key Points

●	DDistillers empowers more than 2,000 farmers across Indonesia
●	Essential oil exports to 12 countries, including France and South Korea
●	Revenue grew from Rp 100 million in seed capital to Rp 4.5 billion within 2 years

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id – What was once barren, unproductive land in rural Indonesia has now transformed into a source of livelihood, empowering over 2,000 people nationwide. This transformation is driven by Syailendra Bumi Investama, a social enterprise producing essential oils and vegetable oils under the brand DDistillers.

Founded in 2014 by Eliest Listiani in Brebes Regency, Central Java, Syailendra BI was born out of concern for the socioeconomic conditions of communities living in remote areas with degraded land and limited income opportunities.

Eliest recalls that in 2015, field research discovered citronella as the answer—an aromatic essential oil plant resilient to all seasons and capable of revitalizing dry land. Training began by educating villagers on eco-friendly essential oil farming, while also managing waste into value-added products through a zero-waste system.

A major breakthrough came at the end of 2020 when Syailendra BI became a partner of PT Pertamina (Persero) through its Micro and Small Business Funding Program, receiving Rp 100 million (approximately US$ 6,400). The funding was used to strengthen production, operations, and marketing.

Within a year, the company’s revenue jumped to Rp 1.2 billion, followed by Rp 3.5 billion in 2021, and surged to Rp 4.5 billion in 2022—officially becoming a taxable entrepreneur. Today, Syailendra BI regularly supplies essential oils to national exporters and the domestic aromatics industry, while also beginning direct exports to France and Singapore, expanding further to 12 markets including Switzerland, Canada, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, India, South Korea, and Brazil.

Empowerment and Network Expansion

Currently, Syailendra BI operates 200 distillation sites across various provinces (except Papua), employing 12 permanent staff members and one academic expert, while empowering around 400 distillers and over 2,000 farmers through the Paguyuban Emas Hijau (Green Gold Cooperative).

In 2025, DDistillers is participating in Pertamina UMK Academy 2025 and Pertamina SMEXPO Merah Putih, two strategic programs designed to enhance business capacity, marketing, and networking opportunities for Pertamina’s supported SMEs.

Fadjar Djoko Santoso, VP Corporate Communication of PT Pertamina (Persero), stated that Pertamina supports SMEs like DDistillers that are able to turn challenges into opportunities, while creating real benefits for thousands of farming families in Indonesia.

“This proves that strategic partnerships between state-owned enterprises and SMEs can drive economic growth while also preserving the environment,” he said.

This achievement aligns with the Asta Cita program of the Prabowo–Gibran administration, Point 3, which emphasizes creating quality jobs, encouraging entrepreneurship, developing the creative industry, and continuing infrastructure development.

“For us, business is not just about profit, but about building hope. From land once seen as worthless, we have proven that there is a greener and more prosperous future ahead,” Eliest concluded.

Prasetyo, W. B. (2025, September 2). From Barren Land to Global Market: The Success Story of Pertamina-Supported DDistillers. InvestorTrust. https://investortrust.id/esg/75671/dari-lahan-tandus-ke-pasar-global-ini-kisah-sukses-ddistillers-binaan-pertamina