SETUNAK -- The people of Setunak Island in Tulang Village, Gelam Strait District, Karimun Regency now have a lot of economic potentials that can be developed after being fostered by PT Timah Tbk.
Setunak Island, which is inhabited by around 52 families, previously only depended on their economy by working as fishermen.
The location of the Setunak Island area which is far from the Tulang Village Government has made the people of Setunak Island visit Gemuruh Village more often to get access to education, and health, and fulfill their daily needs because of the closer distance.
As an archipelago, Stunak Island has a high level of dependence on the surrounding area. The reason is, they have not been able to meet the daily needs of the island.
Realizing this, PT Timah Tbk, which is a member of the MIND ID Mining Industry Holding, is helping the people of Setunak Island by carrying out community empowerment in an integrated manner.
To support independence in the context of meeting food needs on Setunak Island, PT Timah Tbk provides training on mud crab cultivation for community groups. So besides going to sea, they can also get additional income from mangrove crab cultivation.
The mangrove crab commodity was chosen because it has an economic selling value and is in great demand. In addition, it suits nature on Setunak Island because it matches its natural habitat which is surrounded by mangroves.
TINS-coded issuers also support the cultivation of mud crabs by providing mud crab seeds, and helping with facilities and infrastructure for mud crab cultivation.
The head of the Crab Growing group on Setunak Island, Apid, said that their community was very happy with the presence of PT Timah Tbk, which had assisted them in cultivating mud crabs.
"In terms of land or location, it is suitable for mangrove crabs. In addition, PT Timah also provides training, mentoring and seeds imported from other islands because there are not many in the Riau Islands Province who carry out this cultivation," he said.
He is optimistic that the crab cultivation program will greatly help improve the economy of Setunak Island residents.
PT Timah Tbk also empowers women's groups on Setunak Island
to increase the family economy and fulfill food security through the hydroponic farming program.
This program is expected to reduce dependence on external vegetable needs. So far, the Setunak people still rely on vegetable supplies from Gemuruh Village. Apart from having to buy to get to the market or stall in Gemuruh Village, you also have to cross using a pompong first.
"Before there was a hydroponic program from PT Timah to meet the needs of vegetables for our family, we had to go shopping and cross to the next village. Apart from costing money, it also took time. However, after being invited by PT Timah to grow vegetables hydroponically, we feel helped," said Aisyah, a resident of Setunak Island.
They are increasingly independent in growing hydroponic vegetables, especially since PT Timah Tbk provides training, seeds, and fertilizers, and their infrastructure is also supported by PT Timah Tbk.
To make Setunak Island attractive, PT Timah Tbk also provides Ecobrik skills training, namely utilizing plastic waste such as bottles that are often found on beaches to make Setunak Island icons.
Apart from the economic sector, PT Timah Tbk also supports access to education for children on Setunak Island by providing pompong assistance which is used to take and pick up school children.
School Pompong Manager Kasmiran said that with the help of pompong from PT Timah Tbk, it would make it easier for children to go to and from school.
"Moreover, this pompong has also been fiber, so it is safer, durable and does not leak easily," he said.
Kardi, a resident of Setunak Island, expressed his gratitude to PT Timah Tbk, which has supported the progress and independence of the people of Setunak Island to help improve the family economy.
"In the future we hope that PT Timah will continue to pay good attention through programs, activities and also assistance to the people of Setunak Island," continued Sukardi. (**)
