BELITUNG -- PT TIMAH Tbk continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting community empowerment and food security by utilizing former mining land for productive agricultural activities. Together with the Aik Jelutung Farmer Group in Badau Village and the Danau Nujau Gantung Group, the company has successfully planted corn.
The corn planting program with farmer groups on former mining land in the Integrated Plantation Area, Badau Village, Badau District, Belitung Regency, is part of the company’s efforts to optimize reclaimed land so that it can once again provide economic, social, and environmental value to communities around the operational area.
The use of former mining land for corn farming is carried out through mentoring and support for agricultural production facilities, including land preparation, planting, and harvesting.
Previously, PT TIMAH Tbk, together with farmer groups, had developed Badau pineapple farming in this area.
The Head of the Aik Jelutung Farmer Group in Badau Village, Suhari, stated that during this harvest they managed to collect 1.5 tons of corn.
“The harvest potential could actually be higher, but some of the crops were damaged by a tornado,” said Suhari.
He explained that before planting, they managed the land to ensure more effective results. The farmer group’s previous experience in cultivating pineapples served as valuable preparation in managing the post-mining land.
“The use of fertilizer must be higher because the soil is post-mining land. We prepared the land about three weeks before planting, starting from plowing to fertilizing,” he explained.
Going forward, after the corn harvest, the farmer group plans to develop chili cultivation with assistance from PT TIMAH Tbk, which will collaborate with the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB).
“We hope the cooperation with PT TIMAH Tbk can continue, so our farmer group can experience sustainable benefits to support our economy,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Head of Badau District, Azhari, appreciated PT TIMAH Tbk’s efforts in managing former mining land by involving community groups.
According to him, the program has a positive impact not only economically but also from an educational perspective for the community.
He hopes this initiative will continue and be developed sustainably to change the community’s mindset so they do not always depend on the mining sector.
Azhari also conveyed that in the future the land is planned to be reused for chili cultivation on a larger scale. This effort is considered to have strong potential to support food price stability.
“This step will certainly have an impact on reducing inflation in the Belitung Regency area,” he said.
In addition, the post-mining land utilization program aligns with PT TIMAH Tbk’s efforts to strengthen food security. He hopes that in the future the program can be expanded further and involve various related institutions so that the benefits become broader and are directly felt by the community. (*)
