Essence Industry Becomes Water To Feed Farmers and Local Products

From cinnamon, porridge, herbs, nuts, eucalyptus, Kravinu (cenke in Indonesia), camel and other plantations, the Essenzo Group, industrializes products for soap, fresh care, oil (Minuvi) and perfume.

The group called Essenzo led by Salvador da Silva, as a manufacturing industry, founded by young people from Likisa, has been standing for four years, with 12 employees, including four women and mostly young people. The industry is located in Bazartete, Liquisa. What sets Essenzo apart in its products is the symbol with dozens of herbaceous stems.

Products with natural smell hypnotize the customer's attention, beginning to attract the inhabitants who reside there. Every month, the population buys, at least, between 280 to 340 US dollars. But this does not count some products that Essenzo distributes in supermarkets in the capital, such as Leader, Hyper Leader and agricultural shops in Fatuhada and some shops in Liquisa.

"We initiated this group, because we see many young people abandoned in our village, so we want to create our own jobs to help them," Salvador said in a voice full of dilemma.

“We know, of course, that Timor does not have essential oil products (composition of oil extracted or taken from plantations). With essential oil products (local), we can replace some essential oil products that are imported, automatically can feed farmers who grow raw materials, according to the needs of the group, “he said.

“In the first test, create the distillation material with sanan”

The group began its activities in 2017, but was officialized three years later [15 November 2020]. initially, they lacked basic funds, making it difficult for them to obtain distillation materials in local shops. "We think how the human resources that we have, can be transformed into some innovative product in our country," he added.

According to Salvador, they first invented the first manual distillation machine, but it did not give quality results.

“In this test, we failed again and again. The result did not meet our expectations. We still have the courage to keep trying. In 2020, after having a production machine for 25 kilograms, we produced the first frescare aroma therapy fresh”.

At the time Essenzo managed to create products, but there was no place or container to store the products processed by manufacturing. The young group decided to recycle bottles, masses as products and Essenzo considered as an amendment to solve the problem of waste, recycling and reusing these items. “in timor it is difficult to find containers for products, and there is no industry to create this”. however, with limited funds, they had to order and purchase the material from Indonesia.

Essenzo also received financial support from the Secretariat of State for Employment Training, through the Innovative Competition program fund and the Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture through the Entrepreneurship project. With these funds, Essenzo increased the quantity of production and increased the number of workers to 12, which was previously only five.

The complementary fund also empowered Essenzo to increase the industrial infrastructure, which was previously very small and now mistaken for raw material production, with a size of 6x10 square meters, a laboratory with an area of ​​5x8 square meters, while a processing plant with an area of ​​square meters 14x6.

competition with imported products becomes a 'wave' for Esenzo

Salvador acknowledged that Essenzo has been facing various challenges, among them, poor road conditions in remote areas in the municipality, making it difficult for them to buy nuts in large quantities.

In addition, the nuts they collect are not sufficient for production needs. Only about 4000 knots were obtained, but according to the target it must reach seven thousand, another alternative is that Essenzo must buy from other municipalities such as Lautem and Bobonaro.

On the other hand, while Essenzo has produced ingredients, but plantations such as eucalyptus, most agriculture and many Timorese inhabitants do not plant and difficult to obtain. With this, Essenzo cooperates with the Ministry of Agriculture, through the Forestry Directorate, to plant in their yard. Currently, Essenzo has planted many plantations to ensure the sustainability of raw materials such as eucalyptus and herbs.

The way to facilitate Salvador is to establish a supply base to take in the communities and make direct payments.

But the challenge is not limited to this, competition in the domestic market becomes a 'wave' for Esenzo, because imported products such as soap, its lower price and large number of products, weaken competition with Essenzo's products with small quantities and high prices. With this situation, it becomes a challenge for the young group in the market competition. Another factor, affected by the large amount of raw materials with its high cost includes expenses for employees.

But the challenge is not limited to this, competition in the domestic market becomes a 'wave' for Esenzo, because imported products such as soap, its lower price and large number of products, weaken competition with Essenzo's products with small quantities and high prices. With this situation, it becomes a challenge for the young group in the market competition. Another factor, affected by the large amount of raw materials with its high cost includes expenses for employees.

"Previously, we had a distillation machine with a production of 25 kilograms, but now there is already 50 kilograms. We need some support from some parties to increase the quantity of products to production with 100 kilograms," he said with hope.

"If the quantity of raw materials increases we also need to increase processing machines so as not to damage the raw materials.

On the other hand, another challenge for Esenzo is the monthly payment to workers, although it has been standing for almost four years. The Essenzo manager reported that they have not been able to make payments to workers according to the standards established in the State (US$ 115 to 130). This condition is a concern between group and personal survival, but the young people are committed to continue to maintain employment with salaries that are distributed depending on the profit results of the products sold in the market.

"There are 12 of us here, if we pay the minimum wage of US$115 or US$135, every month, this small industry could die," he said.

The group leader confessed that they also have difficulties in transportation, while they have to pay for cars such as anguna to bring them products to the industrial site.

He added that before, they had a car with the brand triton, as a means to facilitate the transportation of raw materials and water. But the vehicle is broken down and needs a lot of money to repair. With this failure, it hurts their work. "Sometimes, water comes only once or twice a week, so we have to process some products in our house, then bring them to the industrial site," he said.

Essence in 'dream' wants to establish a relationship between industry and farmers

Salvador said that if you create your own product with your own brand, it will give nuance and also leave an inspirational legacy to Timorese, namely future generations. Through branding with the same name and design as Essenzo Group, people will know their products.

"One product we want to promote the most is the perfume or fragrance oil called infinito," he expressed.

The group leader and his colleagues dream of adding new products such as facial masks, household oils and glass detergents.

With this ambition, Essenzo dreams of establishing a relationship between industry and farmers through socialization to continue the culture of preserving raw materials such as herbs, aloe vera (lidah buaya) and other plantations.

In the near future, Essenzo will build a building of sufficient size to house industrialized products, including establishing a small office, as it has been doing its homework. Finally, they will build infrastructure to serve as a warehouse to facilitate traders who want to pick up products.

"We want to have our own store near the roadside so that when customers want to access our products, customers can come directly," he said.

“Another plan is to move forward, we can export essential oil and want to establish this industry in 13 municipalities including RAEOA, especially in areas considered as habitat for plantations”.

Salvador affirms, with a profound message, that Timorese need to be aware and hopeful for Timor's future. If you are a Timorese who is currently doing business or has plans to start a business, it is better to start with courage. “You have to face challenges. When you manage to get out of the circle of challenge, it means success can be achieved,” he said.

Author: 1. Rohim A. Putra

             2. Tricha Antónia Virgilio Da Costa Sousa

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