Women’s groups participating in the GMT mangrove conservation and restoration project in North Sumatra are demonstrating that mangroves can provide both ecological protection and sustainable income. As part of our livelihood programme, we have been supporting local women with the help from YAGASU to harness non-timber mangrove products as a way to strengthen household incomes.
In Tanjung Pasir village, women ‘s groups have built a business around Mangrove Soap. With determination and the steady encouragement of GMT and Yagasu, they have turned this into a steady source of income earning an average of 1 million IDR per month. They sell in boxes of 30 bottles, with each bottle priced at 8,000–10,000 IDR. What makes this encouraging is not only the income but the way the women are embracing entrepreneurship. Their enthusiasm is contagious: they’re not just producing, they’re learning to market on TikTok and Facebook, exploring customer feedback, and even innovating with a new product line like soap for washing clothes. Their dream is to expand their reach further, and they are working step by step to make that happen.
In Halaban and Pulau Kampau villages, other women’s groups are finding success with Jeruju Mangrove Chips. What began as small-scale production has now moved into mainstream markets, with their products stocked in well-known shops in Medan. Each group now earns between 1–2 million IDR per month, demonstrating that community-led enterprises can thrive when there is a balance of passion, demand, and support.
Behind these numbers lies an even more powerful story: the resilience and creativity of women. The groups are eager to scale up, to try new ideas, and to prove that mangroves are not just valuable for the environment but also for the livelihoods of those who protect them. Every training session, every product improvement, every new market connection sparks fresh energy. Their journey shows that sustainable livelihoods are not only possible, they are already taking root across villages.
At GMT, together with Yagasu, we are committed to walking alongside them: providing training programs, guiding product innovation, and helping with sales and market access. Because when women thrive, communities grow stronger and opportunities multiply.
And this is just the beginning more stories of women-led mangrove enterprises from other villages are on the way. Stay tuned!
