On Friday, 28 November 2025, the Community and Village Empowerment Office of Murung Raya Regency in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, hosted a seminar titled “Utilizing the Potential and Business Prospects of Essential Oils Based on Aromatic Plants in Murung Raya Regency”. The event aimed to strengthen the capacity of Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) and support their managers in preparing transparent and accountable business feasibility analyses.
The seminar was attended by 116 BUMDes from across Murung Raya and featured key stakeholders, including the Indonesian Essential Oil Council, PT Maruwai Coal with BUMDes Batu Batuah, PT Taru Wangi Indonesia, and the P3MD Division of Central Kalimantan Province.
PT Taru Wangi Indonesia, as an essential oil supplier, was honoured to be invited as a resource speaker to share insights on price projections, global market trends, essential oil supply chains, and partnership opportunities for local farmers and BUMDes. This aligns with the company’s experience in assisting BUMDes Batu Batuah in Batu Tojah Village, which has successfully developed high-quality patchouli oil production.
Patchouli oil holds significant economic value, and Indonesia is recognized as one of the world’s top producers. Despite this potential, the patchouli industry in Murung Raya still faces challenges such as limited farmer knowledge and skills in cultivation and oil processing, price fluctuations, and restricted access to capital. These challenges create opportunities for collaboration among stakeholders to develop the potential of essential oil crops, especially patchouli in a sustainable way.
The Community and Village Empowerment Office encourages prudent use of village funds to support capital access for patchouli farmers. Meanwhile, PT Maruwai Coal, through its CSR program, partners with PT Taru Wangi Indonesia to provide guidance from cultivation to processing and marketing. Through these collaborative efforts, essential oil crops, particularly patchouli, are poised to become strategic commodities that can improve the welfare of communities in Murung Raya Regency.