Through the Business Incubator Center, Salim, a respective farmer figure in Gayam village, has helped develop local farmers in his village to enhance crop yields and increase profits. For more information: Website www.exxonmobil.co.id l Twitter @exxonmobil_id l E-mail [email protected] May 2017 Born and raised in Gayam sub-district, Bojonegoro, East Java, Salim has always dreamed of bringing improvements to his village. In 2009, he started to work as a flagman for Banyu Urip infrastructure facilities project in Gayam. Though he mostly spent time working in the project as a flagman, he still put a deep concern to the communities’ development in his village. That concern lead him to join the Business Incubator Center. Through various training and consultation sessions, the center has equipped him with the skill and knowledge of efficient agricultural practices. Those practices have improved the quantity and quality of crops such as red onion, cabbage and mustard, which eventually increase his profits. The Business Incubator Center is an economic development program supported by ExxonMobil Indonesia in partnership with Bina Swadaya Foundation. Established in Bojonegoro, where Banyu Urip oil field operated by ExxonMobil Indonesia is located, the center aims to help boost the local businesses focusing in agribusiness. Launched in 2014, the center has now benefitted over 650 entrepreneurs from 12 villages in Gayam and two villages in Kalitidu sub-district. The Business Incubator Center not only provides entrepreneurship opportunities, but also helps change the community’s mindset towards entrepreneurship as a promising occupation. Young members of the community in their productive age and also housewives participated in the training and mentoring activities within the center. The farming activities conducted in their own houses are expected to reduce household expenses. Moreover, the center has also helped 100 new entrepreneurs to boost the production of mushroom up to 300-500 kilograms per day during harvest season. Salim is one of the beneficiaries who has implemented the knowledge and skills from the center to his own agricultural practices. Now, he cultivates the farmland left by his parents to grow his own agribusiness. With the new skills he learned from the Business Incubator Center, his yields increased up to 20 percent. “By joining the center, I learned a lot of new things related to agricultural techniques. Before, I knew nothing about agriculture but now I can manage my own land and maximize the yields for my family’s income,” he said. Nowadays, Salim is also helping other farmers in his village through the Business Incubator Center. Many of them seek his guidance in farming practices and become his mentees. “Through my involvement, I wish to keep contributing to my community and bringing improvements to Gayam village.” Business Incubator Center Fact sheet - Economic development program