SUBANG, WEST JAVA — The winding road to Cirangkong Village, Cijambe District, Subang Regency, offers a soothing green view. Pineapple fields stretch out between hills and residential areas. In the middle of this fertile agricultural area stands a simple but promising building: Industri Komunal Olahan Nanas or IKON (Pineapple Processing Community Industry).
This empowerment program, based on endowment and productive zakat, is an innovative initiative by Dompet Dhuafa to uplift the dignity of pineapple farmers who have long been marginalized by the unfair trading system. Established as a pineapple processing industry, IKON is not merely a production facility but also a symbol of hope and a catalyst for a more equitable and sustainable local economy.
For decades, pineapple farmers in Subang have relied on prices dictated by middlemen. They work tirelessly from dawn to dusk, yet their earnings often fall short. Pineapples are typically priced at Rp2,000 per kilogram, or even less. This amount is often insufficient to cover production costs, let alone provide for their families.
However, everything changed with the arrival of IKON. The purchase price of pineapples is now stable at Rp4,000/kg, double the previous price. This provides income certainty for farmers and has revived their enthusiasm for farming, which had been waning.
Read also: The Pulse of the Pineapple Industry: A Source of Hope for the Community
One farmer who has directly felt the impact is Ade Suherlan, who has been growing pineapples since the 1990s.
“Praise be to God, prices are now stable and much more profitable. We no longer fear harvest time when prices plummet,” said Mr. Ade.
With 3 hectares of land and a staggered planting pattern, Mr. Ade can harvest throughout the year, with a total production of around 60 tons of pineapples per year. At a price of Rp4,000/kg, he can earn a gross income of up to Rp240 million every year.
In addition to processing fruit into juice and pineapple jam, IKON is a comprehensive farmer empowerment center. Dompet Dhuafa is not only a buyer of the harvest (offtaker) but also a mentor in strengthening farmers’ capacity through training, guidance, and the formation of farmer groups and cooperatives.
“We often hold discussions with the Dompet Dhuafa team. They truly listen to our concerns and help find solutions,” said Mr. Ade.
To date, there are approximately 100 pineapple farmers who are members of the Dompet Dhuafa-assisted farmer group. The presence of this community has fostered solidarity among farmers and strengthened their bargaining power in facing market dynamics.
The presence of IKON has also been warmly received by the Cirangkong Village Government. On Thursday (June 26, 2025), the Village Head of Cirangkong, Asep Sutia, visited the IKON facilities and met with the management of IKON Dompet Dhuafa, factory workers, and supported farmers.
“I am deeply impressed by Dompet Dhuafa’s presence in our village. Since its inception, numerous programs have been implemented, ranging from social welfare, religious education, health, education, and economic development. IKON is truly remarkable. This is a significant step toward improving the welfare of Cirangkong farmers,” Asep stated.
He emphasized that Dompet Dhuafa’s presence has brought a new dimension to village development. Specifically, through IKON, farmers who were previously neglected now have a proper place as pillars of the local economy.
This sentiment was echoed by Tendy Satrio, Economic Program Supervisor at Dompet Dhuafa, who said that Dompet Dhuafa is not here to make a profit, but to bring about equitable prosperity.
This industry will eventually be owned by the community, as the shares will be transferred to the beneficiaries as part of productive zakat distribution.
“The presence of Dompet Dhuafa here is solely for the welfare of the community. We aim to elevate the dignity of farmers and create sustainable impact, not just temporary benefits,” he said.
Through the Communal Industry concept, Dompet Dhuafa has successfully transformed the traditional agricultural ecosystem into an inclusive and productive economic system. Processed products from IKON are now reaching a wider market, both for local consumption and industrial scale.
Amidst his busy farming schedule, Mr. Ade harbors greater hopes. He wants his children and grandchildren to continue loving the world of agriculture and not be trapped by the notion that life in the village is unpromising.
“I want the children to stay in the village. Being a farmer is cool. It’s not dirty or shabby, but noble,” he emphasized.
Together with Dompet Dhuafa, Mr. Ade and hundreds of other pineapple farmers are nurturing the future. They are not just planting fruits, but also planting hope and passing on the spirit of self-reliance to future generations.
IKON will prove that with the right support, farmers can become true economic heroes. This program serves as an ideal model of how zakat and wakaf can be transformed into long-term strength that brings prosperity, rather than just temporary consumption. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and Photos: Riza Muthohar
Editor: Dhika