PANGKALPINANG – PT Timah, through its Community Empowerment and Development Program (PPM), has launched several initiatives aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector to ensure food security in its operational areas. Operating in island regions like the Bangka Belitung Islands Province and the Riau Islands Province, the company has recognized the high dependency on external food sources and is actively promoting local agriculture to meet food needs.
These efforts aim to empower local farmers, boost production, and create sustainable agricultural practices. PT Timah is committed to providing tangible support, ranging from agricultural facilities and infrastructure to training programs that enhance farmers' skills.
Some of the key agricultural programs that PT Timah supports include Chili Cultivation in Paku Village, South Bangka, Pineapple Cultivation in Badau Village, Belitung Regency, and Shallot Farming with the Bina Tani Farmers Group in Gantung Village, East Belitung Regency.
As a member of the MIND ID Mining Industry Holding, PT Timah provides guidance and training to farmer groups to cultivate various food commodities. These initiatives aim to improve the skills of local farmers, leading to increased agricultural production.
In addition to skill-building, PT Timah also supports farmers with essential agricultural infrastructure, such as providing hand tractors to the Bina Tani Tailong Group and the Maulana Bukit Naga Kundur Farmers Group.
The company also facilitates access to capital for farmers through its Micro and Small Business Funding (PUMK) program, which targets the agricultural sector, supporting the growth and development of farming in its operational areas.
In collaboration with youth and community groups, PT Timah has repurposed former mining lands for agriculture, employing an agroforestry concept in West Bangka to bolster the agricultural sector.
With the company’s support through these various initiatives, the agricultural sector is expected to strengthen, contributing to food security in PT Timah's operational areas.
“PT Timah is committed to supporting local farmers through training, access to capital, and the provision of agricultural infrastructure. The agricultural sector plays a vital role in supporting national food security and improving the welfare of communities, particularly in rural areas,” said Anggi Siahaan, Head of Corporate Communications at PT Timah. (*)
