PLN Strengthens Local Food Security in North Sulawesi
Manado (ANTARA) - PT PLN (Persero) Manado Customer Service Implementation Unit (UP3) is strengthening local food security in North Sulawesi Province through community economic empowerment based on spirulina cultivation.
“We saw the community in Tarabitan village, North Minahasa, cultivating spirulina, so PLN is helping to promote the development of this food source,” said Usman Bangun, General Manager of PLN’s North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi and Gorontalo (Suluttenggo) Main Distribution Unit, in Manado on Thursday.
He said PLN remains committed to promoting community empowerment through its Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) programme.
PLN is implementing the Spirulina Cultivation and Processing Development Programme as Local Food Security in Support of Electrifying Agriculture.
He said the programme is part of PLN’s effort to support sustainable development through community economic empowerment based on local potential.
Spirulina was chosen as a flagship commodity because it has high nutritional content, economic value, and the potential to be developed into various processed products capable of increasing community income.
Meanwhile, the application of the Electrifying Agriculture concept is expected to increase cultivation productivity through the use of reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly electricity.
Usman emphasised that the TJSL programme is oriented towards Creating Shared Value (CSV), which can integrate the need for modern energy with community self-reliance.
“PLN is not only present to provide light, but also to be a driver of the economy and community welfare. Through the Electrifying Agriculture programme, we want to prove that the use of reliable and modern electricity can transform local commodity sectors such as spirulina so they have far higher added value,” Usman said.
He hopes Tarabitan village can become an example of how the integration of electricity-based appropriate technology and community innovation can sustainably strengthen national food security.
Manager of PLN UP3 Manado, Revi Aldrian, said the field programme focuses on sustainability and strengthening the capacity of the cultivator groups.
“PLN is committed to delivering real benefits to communities through a sustainability-oriented TJSL programme. The development of spirulina cultivation and processing is a step to strengthen local food security while opening new business opportunities for the people of Tarabitan village,” said Revi.
Umbase Mayuntu, Assistant I for Government and People’s Welfare of North Minahasa Regency, appreciated PLN’s continued efforts to deliver community empowerment programmes based on regional potential.
“The North Minahasa Regency Government expresses its appreciation to PLN for implementing the TJSL programme supporting spirulina cultivation and processing in Tarabitan village,” he said.
“This programme is a good example of collaboration between the business sector, government and community in strengthening food security, improving community welfare and encouraging the emergence of new entrepreneurs,” Umbase said.
Through this programme, PLN is also helping to build the capacity of the Spirulina Farm Group in technical aspects of cultivation, processing, and product marketing strategies so as to achieve higher economic value.
In addition to supporting food security, the programme is expected to create new jobs, increase community income, and strengthen the role of village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) in village economic development.
The initiative is in line with PLN’s commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in poverty alleviation, food security, inclusive economic growth and strategic partnerships for development.
Going forward, PLN UID Suluttenggo through UP3 Manado hopes the spirulina cultivation and processing programme can continue to grow into a pioneer of community empowerment in coastal areas based on clean energy and environmentally friendly technological innovation.