BANGKA -- To support food security and optimize the company’s assets, PT Timah is collaborating with the Nangnung Village Farmers Group to promote horticultural agriculture in the Helipad Balai Karya area, located in Air Kantung, Sungailiat, Bangka Regency.
Chairman of the Nangnung Village Farmers Group, Edo Mardiano, said that in collaboration with PT Timah, they will plant a variety of vegetables and fruits in the Helipad area. Previously, they had already planted cassava in the same location.
To support the Nangnung Village Farmers Group, PT Timah, through its Division of Engineering & Operation Excellence, provided vegetable and fruit seeds during the HARI CERDAS program (Helipad, Asri, Rapi dan Indah – Cerminan Edukasi Ramah Lingkungan, which means "Clean, Tidy, and Beautiful Helipad – A Reflection of Eco-Friendly Education") held at Helipad Balai Karya Sungailiat some time ago.
According to Edo, they plan to plant eggplants, chilies, mustard greens, long beans, and various other vegetables on a 1.6-hectare plot of land. The harvest is expected to help fulfill the local community’s vegetable needs.
"We’re fully supported by PT Timah. After receiving the seeds, we’ll plant them and manage the land. In the future, we also plan to integrate farming with livestock. We’re doing it step by step," he said.
He explained that aside from supporting food security, they chose this area for farming to optimize land use and maintain the area's cleanliness so people won’t litter there anymore.
"With this farming activity, there will be an economic impact for the community, especially for our members, but in the future, we’ll involve even more people. Hopefully, it won’t just support food security, but also develop into a new tourist destination here," he added.
He also expressed appreciation for PT Timah’s support in helping their farmers group grow and in utilizing the company’s land to benefit the community.
"We are very grateful for PT Timah’s support, and we hope they will continue to assist and guide us so this program can continue to grow and provide even greater benefits," he concluded.
