SOUTH BANGKA — PT Timah Tbk continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting food security in the company’s operational areas. This time, the company is collaborating with the Government of Tepus Village, Air Gegas District, South Bangka Regency, to optimize post-mining land as a productive plantation area.
On a three-hectare plot in Dusun Kelidang, Tepus Village has planted 200 trees, consisting of 100 hybrid coconut trees and 100 harum manis mango trees.
This program is an initiative of the Village Government to develop Tepus into an agricultural center that can strengthen food security while boosting the community’s economic growth.
The Head of Tepus Village, Acai, said they chose coconut and mango not only to support food security but also because these commodities have high economic value and strong market demand.
“We are very grateful and thank PT Timah Tbk. This is proof of the company’s concern for our community. Coconut and mango were chosen because of their high selling value and strong consumption demand,” he said.
Acai added that Tepus Village has great potential in both agriculture and mining due to its peat and sandy soil structure. However, many plots of former community mining land are no longer productive.
Seeing this, the Tepus Village Government took the initiative to transform the area into sustainable food-security land. In addition to planting coconut and mango, the land is also planned to be developed into poultry and fish farming areas.
“This location is the village’s food security area. In addition to plantations, we want to develop chicken farms and fish ponds to strengthen food security and the community’s economy,” Acai explained.
The presence of this village plantation does not only focus on food security but also has the potential to become a source of Village Original Revenue (PADes) and create job opportunities for residents.
“Many residents are involved in this activity. We are glad because this program can create job opportunities for the community,” he added.
He hopes that the cooperation with PT Timah Tbk will continue.
“We hope PT Timah will continue to work with us to further develop the Tepus Village food-security area in the future,” he concluded.
