InfoSAWIT, MENTOK – The Bangka Barat District Government, in collaboration with the palm oil company Gunung Sawit Bina Lestari (GSBL), officially launched the Community Garden Development Facility (FPKM) program as an effort to improve the welfare of local farmers.

Bangka Barat Regent Sukirman, who attended the launch in Dusun Ibulume, Belo Laut, Mentok District, emphasized that this program represents a tangible synergy between the local government and the private sector in boosting the community's economy.

“As a first step, the local government, along with the Belolaut Village and GSBL, has opened an area of 32 hectares for palm oil plantations. It is hoped that this can improve the living standards of local farmers,” Sukirman stated, as reported by InfoSAWIT from Antara on Thursday (February 27, 2025).

According to him, this program provides various facilities for the community, including assistance with fertilizers, seeds, and technical guidance. With existing experience, the harvest from two hectares of palm oil plantations can reach four tons, which can significantly impact the farmers' economy.

Partnership Scheme with Cooperatives

Belolaut Village Head, Ibnu, explained that GSBL supports this program through a cooperative-based partnership scheme. Farmers who join will receive assistance in land clearing, seed provision, and fertilizers with interest-free capital.

“This scheme ensures that the land remains owned by the community, while the assistance provided will be gradually repaid through the sale of harvests to the company via the cooperative,” he explained.

This model is expected to provide sustainability guarantees for farmers while ensuring that the plantation products can be absorbed by the market at competitive prices.

Expansion to Other Dusuns

Not only in Dusun Ibulume, but the FPKM program is also planned to be gradually expanded to other dusuns in Mentok District. The government and the company are optimistic that this initiative will have a positive impact on the regional economy in the long term.

“We hope this program can continue to develop. After Ibulume, other dusuns will follow gradually,” Sukirman added.

The launch of the FPKM program was marked by a planting event in Dusun Ibulume attended by the Bangka Barat Regent, GSBL leaders, and several officials from the Bangka Barat District Government. It is hoped that this program can serve as a model for the development of cooperative-based plantation sectors in other regions. (T2)