Previously, during every dry season, residents of Tabarano Village in\nLuwu Timur, South Sulawesi, lived in fear. The dry hillside land was\nprone to burning, with real threats to nearby settlements. Now,\nthousands of pineapple trees grow across the same five-hectare plot,\ntransforming the village\u2019s landscape and offering new economic hope.<\/p>\n
Four years ago, Rimal Manuk Allo, head of Tabarano Village in\nWasuponda District, Luwu Timur Regency, had to allocate special funds\nannually to prevent land fires. \u2018We did this regularly, but the story is\ndifferent now,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
The change began with determination. The name Wasuponda, derived from\n\u2018wosu\u2019 (stone) and \u2018ponda\u2019 (pineapple), means \u2018pineapple on stone\u2019 in\nthe local language.<\/p>\n
Ironically, there were no pineapple plantations for years. The land\nwas critical, rocky, and fire-prone.<\/p>\n
Rimal took the plunge. Despite initial scepticism, he believed\npineapples could grow as they belong to the cactus family and are\ndrought-resistant. \u2018They can grow without watering,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
His conviction met real support. Since 2022, PT Vale Indonesia\u2019s\nCommunity Development Programme (PPM) has been supporting the village. A\nfive-hectare plot at Mount Tabor, about 30 minutes from the Sorowako\nblock, was developed into a pilot project called Pineapple Pathways for\nSustainability, or Ponda\u2019ta, derived from \u2018ponde\u2019 (pineapple) and\n\u2018ta\u2019malolo\u2019 (to plant and grow together).<\/p>\n
PT Vale did not just provide seedlings. They also offered technical\ntraining, water assistance, drainage systems, small reservoirs, and a\nproduction house. By 2025, the grant funding reached Rp600 million. Now,\n25,000 pineapple trees grow on what was once barren land.<\/p>\n
Yohanis Gusti, chairman of Tabarano\u2019s Pondata Group, noted four\nharvests since the first in 2024. From two hectares now productive, this\nyear\u2019s revenue reached Rp40 million. \u2018We aim for 25 hectares in the\nfuture, per local government commitment,\u2019 Yohanis said.<\/p>\n
Even weeds and other plants around the pineapple fields are now used\nto make compost, which in turn fertilises the surrounding crops.<\/p>\n
\u2018Not just compost, we\u2019re also raising maggots for organic fertilizer\nand establishing nurseries,\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n
The most tangible change is felt by residents like Siska Harianti, a\nsingle mother of three who previously took odd jobs. Now, she is one of\n11 pineapple farm managers actively producing dodol (candied sweets),\nchips, and pickles at the community women\u2019s production house.<\/p>\n
\u2018This land was dead before. Now, I can harvest up to 1.5 tonnes per\nhectare each season,\u2019 Siska said.<\/p>\n
She processes the harvest into various local products. Beyond income,\nSiska can now save for her children\u2019s education. \u2018This isn\u2019t just about\nwages\u2014it\u2019s a decent livelihood.\u2019<\/p>\n
Five are primary farmers, ten others manage operations. During peak\nharvest or processing, the village engages single parents, the\nunemployed, and those who lost their livelihoods.<\/p>\n
\u2018The Village Consultative Body also plants pineapples. If you just\nwatch, you won\u2019t feel ownership,\u2019 Rimal added.<\/p>\n
Synergy with the regency government has strengthened. By 2025, total\nvillage development funding approaches Rp4.9 billion, including Rp2\nbillion from Luwu Timur Regency via the Local Potential-Based Special\nFinancial Assistance (BKK). Regent Irwan Bachri Syam officially launched\nthe area as Pondata Tabarano Agrotourism in 2024.<\/p>\n
Beyond farming, the village has allocated six hectares for cattle and\ngoats as part of a self-sustaining organic compost cycle.<\/p>\n
PT Vale\u2019s waste tyres, rice husks, and leftover materials are used to\nreinforce terracing, replacing cement. Local SME products are now\ndisplayed at PT Vale\u2019s headquarters and explored for export to Japan. PT\nVale also provides digital marketing training, halal certification\nassistance, and BPOM approvals.<\/p>\n
Yusri Yunus, Head of External Relations for Sorowako & Outer Area\nat PT Vale Indonesia, explained that the company\u2019s support is part of\neight pillars of community empowerment programmes, from health and\neducation to economic independence.<\/p>\n
\u2018We regularly evaluate with the regency government. This synergy is\npossible thanks to the Regent\u2019s support as the highest authority in Luwu\nTimur,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
Land fires are no longer a threat. Water, once scarce, now flows to\nthe hills. Rimal affirmed, \u2018We no longer fear the dry season. Now, it\u2019s\nharvest spirit, life spirit.\u2019<\/p>\n
From critical, rocky land, Tabarano Village has proven that\nsustainability in mining areas is more than just talk. It grew from\ncollaboration, nurtured by residents, and is now yielding independent,\nsustainable results. (LN\/E-4)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/from-fire-prone-land-to-a-livelihood-generating-pineapple-farm-1780025308", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }