Over the past decade, many affluent Indonesians have begun consuming organic grains and vegetables for health reasons. These organic products are significantly more expensive than conventional ones because few farmers practice organic agriculture, and many still lack the knowledge or training to do so.
In the Diocese of Purwokerto, Central Java Province, a remarkable initiative has quietly taken root. Without much publicity, three Catholic nuns from the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary and Joseph (PMY) have, for more than 14 years, devoted themselves to promoting organic farming among local farmers in Purwosari, Purworejo Regency.
This “profane” or worldly apostolate is rare, especially in Indonesia, where it is uncommon for religious sisters to engage so deeply in community-based agricultural development.
The initiative was pioneered by Sister Alfonsa Triatmi PMY, together with her fellow sisters: Sr. Bernadetta PMY and Sr. Fransiska PMY.
From the beginning, their work received strong moral support from the late Msgr. Julianus Sunarko SJ, the then Bishop of Purwokerto Diocese, had a deep commitment to social and community development throughout his diocese.
PETA Purworejo: A Model for Organic Agriculture
In 2015, together with dozens of local farmers and peasants, the three PMY sisters and their lay collaborator, Mr. Albertus Dwi Widyatmojo, known fondly as Bejo, formally launched their first organic rice harvest.
The rice was produced under PETA, an association of local farmers in Purworejo District.
The launch ceremony was attended by local government officials, including the Purworejo Regency Chief and senior agricultural officers from Central Java Province.
In an interview, Sr. Alfonsa PMY expressed her gratitude to the Catholic Church in the diocese for its consistent support of this unconventional apostolate.
“This is indeed a very unusual ministry for any religious congregation of sisters in Indonesia,” she said. “But with the bishop’s encouragement, our work among farmers has truly borne fruit in building up the local community.”
After three years of monitoring and inspection, the Indonesian Organic Farming Certification (INOFICE) officially recognized PETA’s organic rice according to the National Standard.
INOFICE is the certification body authorized by the Ministry of Agriculture of Indonesia. “Based on this certification, PETA in Purworejo has been officially recognized as an organic farming area,” Sr. Alfonsa told RVA.
A Lifelong Passion for the Land
Speaking with enthusiasm, Sr. Alfonsa PMY shared that her love for farming was deeply rooted in her family background. “My parents were also peasants,” she said, “and although my formal training as a sister was in nursing, agriculture has always been close to my heart.”
After serving 13 years as the Indonesian PMY Province’s Superior, Sr. Alfonsa turned her focus to community development work in 1995, a ministry she continues to be passionate about today.
She acknowledges that this mission could not have succeeded without close collaboration with lay partners and her fellow PMY sisters. “In our internal team, I serve as coordinator,” she explained. “But for our external missions, Brother Bejo, who used to be a seminarian, has always been our front-runner in implementing the programs we plan together.”
Now 77 years old, Sr. Alfonsa recalls with a smile that only a few years ago she was still riding a motorcycle from Purworejo to Wonosobo (about 70 kilometres) and even driving a car herself.
Today, she enjoys her retirement at the PMY Generalate House in Sedayu, Yogyakarta.
Her agricultural passion, she said, “grew stronger after joining various workshops and training sessions on farming since 1995,” through which she gained both technical skills and community experience.
A Fruitful Mission for All
Today, more than 140 farming families in Purworejo District are involved in the organic rice program led by the PMY sisters. “Only a few of them are Catholic,” Sr. Alfonsa noted. “The majority are Muslims, and they are our good friends and partners.”
Since 2003, after years of trial and error, the team has expanded its outreach, serving as facilitators in numerous Training of Trainers (TOT) programs to help other farmers across various districts adopt organic and sustainable farming methods.
Sr. Alfonsa remains deeply grateful for the late Bishop Sunarko’s unwavering support. “He encouraged us to see this work not as something outside the Church, but as part of the Church’s mission for sustainable living and environmental stewardship.”
“My goal is simple,” she concluded. “I want to educate farmers and peasants to produce organic crops as part of our shared commitment to a sustainable environment.”
(Mathias Hariyadi is a journalist and freelance writer based in Indonesia, who contributes to global Catholic magazines and platforms. )
