Today, PT Timah, in collaboration with the Bina Tani Belitung Timur farmers’ group, held a Grand Harvest of Shallots at Dusun Gangse, Gantung Village, East Belitung, on Friday, February 8, 2025.
The event was attended by the Acting Governor of the Bangka Belitung Islands, Sugito, the East Belitung Regency Government, and President Director of PT Timah Tbk, Ahmad Dani Virsal.
PT Timah has been actively supporting and mentoring the Bina Tani farmers’ group in shallot cultivation as part of its efforts to strengthen food supply and empower the local economy.
Alongside the grand harvest, the event also featured the inauguration of a fishing pond and an inspection of chili and pakcoy farming areas.
Additionally, PT Timah handed over BPJS Employment Social Security Cards to 84 fishermen from Gantung Village and its surrounding areas.
During the event, Acting Governor Sugito expressed his appreciation for PT Timah’s contribution in supporting the shallot farming group, from capital assistance and training to today’s grand harvest.
“I am grateful to witness and participate in this shallot grand harvest by the Bina Tani farmers’ group, which has received strong support from PT Timah. Beyond shallots, we are also harvesting curly chili, Pak Choy, and rice today, along with inaugurating a fishing pond as part of food security optimization efforts,” he stated.
Sugito emphasized that such shallot harvests align with government programs for regional food security.
“Community empowerment programs like this should serve as a pilot project and a food security laboratory. We hope the local government will collaborate to establish mechanisms for land management so that post-mining land can be repurposed for the benefit of communities around mining areas,” he added.
Meanwhile, in his remarks, PT Timah’s President Director, Ahmad Dani Virsal, highlighted that this Grand Harvest of Shallots is part of the company’s commitment to community empowerment, in line with President Prabowo’s Hasta Cita vision.
“The grand harvest activities with the Bina Tani farmers’ group today reflect PT Timah’s commitment to fostering community self-sufficiency by increasing job opportunities and entrepreneurship, especially in the agricultural sector,” he stated.
Through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, PT Timah remains dedicated to supporting the local economy by optimizing existing potential and creating broader employment opportunities. (*)
