KARIMUN -- PT TIMAH (Persero) Tbk’s efforts to promote economic independence among coastal communities continue to deliver positive results. One example can be seen in the Tuah Bersatu Fish Farmers Group (Pokdakan) in Sawang Laut Village, West Kundur District, Karimun Regency.
Since 2022, PT TIMAH has been assisting the Tuah Bersatu Fish Farmers Group in developing white seabass farming as part of its efforts to improve the economic conditions of coastal communities and provide an additional source of income for local fishermen.
Through mentoring, training, and support in the form of facilities and infrastructure, the group has continued to grow and achieve successful harvests despite facing various challenges throughout the cultivation process.
Chairman of the Tuah Bersatu Fish Farmers Group, Amran, said that initially, group members only learned about white seabass farming through videos and information they came across. However, thanks to the guidance provided by PT TIMAH and training support from the Batam Marine Aquaculture Fisheries Center (BPBL), they gained the confidence to begin cultivating white seabass independently.
“We started developing white seabass farming in 2022. In 2023, we began receiving assistance in the form of fingerlings and mentoring. Initially, we stocked 500 white seabass fingerlings and successfully harvested around 210 kilograms of fish. That success gave us the confidence to continue expanding this aquaculture business,” Amran said.
This early success encouraged the group to continue learning and improving its aquaculture capacity. They were later entrusted with cultivating 3,000 white seabass fingerlings measuring 8–10 centimeters, which also generated economic benefits for the group.
However, the journey has not always been smooth. Limited technical knowledge, high feed costs, and weather conditions have posed significant challenges.
According to Amran, PT TIMAH’s support has been instrumental in helping the group persevere and continue its aquaculture activities. Feed assistance provided by the Company has been one of the key factors in sustaining the business.
“We faced major challenges, especially during the extreme heat in 2025. At that time, we also lacked the equipment needed to measure pond water temperatures. However, PT TIMAH continued to assist and guide us, which kept us motivated to learn and further develop this aquaculture business,” he said.
As aquaculture technology continues to evolve, the Tuah Bersatu Fish Farmers Group has also begun adopting a biofloc system. According to Amran, this method is considered more effective because it helps address many of the challenges commonly encountered in pond farming, particularly during the nursery and grow-out stages.
“Times are changing, and we need to continue learning. With the biofloc system, fingerling management becomes more effective, and several challenges in pond farming can be minimized. We are still learning and working to further develop this method,” he added.
Amran acknowledged that PT TIMAH has played a major role in the development of the group. Through the Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, the group has received continuous support, ranging from improvements to cultivation facilities and locations to assistance with fingerlings, feed, and business mentoring.
“When we look back, we started with nothing more than a dream and an idea. Today, our farming site is productive. Around 70 percent of the group’s aspirations have already been realized. Alhamdulillah, PT TIMAH has truly helped us grow,” he said.
He explained that the white seabass farming business has also provided additional income for group members. In addition to fishing at sea, local fishermen now have an alternative source of income that helps improve their families’ welfare.
Beyond supporting white seabass farming, PT TIMAH also assists various community groups in Sawang Laut Village, including shrimp paste processing groups, hydroponic farming groups, poultry farming groups, waste banks, and mangrove nursery programs that continue to develop.
According to Amran, the benefits of PT TIMAH’s programs have been widely felt throughout Sawang Laut Village, both through infrastructure development and various community empowerment initiatives implemented in collaboration with the village government.
“PT TIMAH has become part of the Sawang Laut community. Many of its programs have directly benefited local residents, both economically and through village development. Going forward, we hope PT TIMAH will continue supporting the development of the agricultural sector, women farmers’ groups, and other local potentials so that even more people can benefit,” Amran concluded. (*)
