12 years ago, in Lombok, I think less likely someone had an idea like Saifana Organic Farm. And, I bet not so many people in Lombok have businesses like this. According to Saifana’s official website, this business began in 2013, stemming from a hope to create a place that could truly be called home. The idea come from the fact that sometimes people have a place to go, but yet, the place doesn’t feel like a home. Thus, a hope emerged from Saifana Organic Farm.

Background of Saifana Organic Farm

Saifana Organic Farm arose from the dream of a couple who wanted to create a place they could truly call home. Initially, the Sutikno family, as owners of Saifana Organic Farm, had to constantly move from one country to another.

Amina Gindroz, Co-Founder of Saifana Organic Farm, explained that the business idea was very simple. “The original idea was simple: to build a small wooden bungalow for each child, so we could all reunite here during the summer holidays,” she said.

Amina even added that the name Saifana itself came from a combination of the names of all of Sutikno’s children.

“The name Saifana is actually an acronym, made from the first letters of our names: Safira, Atias, Ili, Fanny, Adrian, Namori, and Amina,” she added.

Building an Organic Farm Business in Lombok

For some, this business may still sound unfamiliar if established in Lombok. Lombok itself has abundant natural resources that can be continuously developed. Lombok’s natural resources are very diverse and of high quality. However, despite this, it’s rare for young people to want to develop a business in this sector.

So, Saifana Organic Farm emerged as a simple idea for a family who then chose to settle in Lombok.

“The idea of starting an organic farm didn’t come right away. It developed slowly over the years but became much more concrete after the 2018 earthquakes. With bridges on the verge of collapse and very limited food available at local markets, we truly realized how essential it was to grow our own food,” said Amina.

Remember the earthquake that struck in 2018? Many residents struggled to find food, and everything felt very difficult to obtain.

Not only that, but the awareness and hope of Saifana Organic Farm also deepened when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, necessitating a lockdown for several months.

“This awareness only deepened during the COVID-19 lockdown. We saw firsthand how vital it is to have access to fresh, healthy, and nutritious food. That’s when we felt an even greater urge to share what we knew about regenerative farming,” Amina explained.

After that, the business expanded by establishing community gardens near villages and offering consulting services.

“We started creating community gardens in nearby villages and offering consultancy services to hotels, resorts, and homeowners who wanted to grow their own food sustainably,” she said.

The Uniqueness of Saifana Organic Farm

Starting something with a dream, sincerity, good intentions, and a desire to help others is a unique quality that not everyone possesses.

Amina explained that her family never viewed Saifana Organic Farm as a business. They simply intended to create a more meaningful life for everyone.

“I think what makes Saifana truly unique is its purity.

From the very beginning, we never saw Saifana as a business. Our intention was to create a meaningful life for our family, for the women in our village by offering a safe workplace, and for the land itself, which was once deeply depleted and in need of regeneration,” Amina said.

She even added that everything at Saifana is rooted in connection. “At Saifana, everything is rooted in connection: connection to the earth, to people, and to our community,” she explained.

At Saifana, you can find several products grown from its own garden and delivered throughout Lombok every Wednesday.

Not only that, you can also enjoy the processed produce. “We also transform our produce into a variety of artisanal goods, including jams, nut butters, roasted cashews, herbal teas, syrups, dried herbs, and more,” said Amina.

So it’s no surprise that something built from good intentions and a noble dream has received a warm welcome from all parties.

“The response has been very positive so far. More and more people are becoming aware of their health and the vital role that food plays in it. That growing awareness has really helped create a supportive community around what we do.” Amina said.

Challenges of Starting an Organic Business

As one of the long-standing organic businesses in Lombok, they have overcome many challenges. Amina also shared that these challenges take time because they don’t use chemicals.

“One of the main challenges in regenerative agriculture is that it takes time. If you choose not to use chemical fertilizers, it can take years for the soil to fully recover and become nutrient-rich again. That’s why it’s so important to be strategic when starting a project like this.

You need to diversify to create multiple income streams while the land is still healing,” she said.

Therefore, at Saifana, there are many recommendations for you to enjoy. “At Saifana, for example, we offer more than just farming. We have simple accommodations, a simple restaurant, and daily workshops and activities such as cooking classes, garden tours, honey harvesting, postcard making, and cashew nut processing. We also sell fresh produce and homemade products, and provide consulting services for those who want to grow their own food or start similar projects.” She said.

Benefits of Saifana Products

There are many benefits you can get from purchasing Saifana products. Because they don’t use chemicals and all their products are organically processed, they’re sure to be very beneficial for your body. In fact, Saifana also has a philosophy about the products they sell, as shared by Amina.

“Our philosophy is simple: you can eat healthy and still enjoy the little pleasures in life. Our bakery selection is especially popular, featuring homemade cookies, brownies, and banana breads that are all vegan, wholesome, and totally guilt-free,” she said.

You can buy Saifana products at various stores across Lombok Island, such as Lombok Eco Market Shop in Kuta, Tiga Natural, Nine-Nine, and Juju in Gili Air. You can even buy their products directly from the plantation or have them delivered weekly on Wednesdays.

To maintain the quality of its products, Saifana has a beautiful philosophy, shared by Amina. “We believe the best way to maintain quality is to be your own first customer. Everything that comes out of our production unit or kitchen is first tasted by us: our team and family members. If we wouldn’t eat it ourselves, we wouldn’t serve it to anyone else.” She explained.

A New Hope and a Big Dream from Saifana

Amina explained that she has a hope for Saifana’s future.

“Recently, we took a big step by creating a non-profit foundation called the Tanah Inaq Foundation, aimed at addressing the issue of underage marriage and the many problems that come with it.

One of our biggest dreams is to establish a learning center here at Saifana. A space where we can share the knowledge we’ve gained through years of practicing regenerative agriculture, and where we can exchange ideas and experiences with fellow growers from across Indonesia and around the world,” she said.

A big hope for everyone. A truly noble meaning of life. It’s time for all humans to start creating ideas based on good intentions and noble dreams. We are not alone in this world, so we should help each other and be grateful every day.