Nicknamed Dhilla, Hikmatul Fadhila was born and raised in Pariaman, West Sumatra. Dhila graduated from the Civil Engineering program at the Bogor Agricultural Institute, and now works at the Mentawai Mandiri Citra Foundation in West Sumatra, assisting communities in the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra.

Dhila strives to make optimal use of the land, achieved through community empowerment which can preserve customary forests and improve the community’s economy. With the enactment of a Decree (SK) for customary forests in the Mentawai Islands by the District Head, there are now opportunities for the community to take advantage of their customary lands without fear of them being taken over by companies.

Dhila formed an agricultural community on the island of Siberut in the Mentawai Islands so that optimal land use is practiced in a more organized system. Currently, 3 farmer groups have been formed with two more to be formed soon.

Dhila strives to preserve the role of Tinungglu local wisdom in the community’s agricultural system. Tinungglu was adapted to the concept of agroforestry to increase land productivity without changing the agricultural system that has been carried out by generations of indigenous peoples. As part of this program, Dhila also guides farmer group members in methods from the seed nursery stage to planting seedlings in the field.

Dhila hopes that the people she works with can be financially independent and rely on agriculture as their main source of income. Engaging in environmental sustainability efforts will allow them to maintain the customary forest as an inheritance for their future children and grandchildren.