PTBA Empowers Merapi Timur Community through Layer Chicken Programme
Palembang (ANTARA) - PT Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk (PTBA) is empowering the community in the fields of food security and economic strengthening for the residents of Sirah Pulau Village, Merapi Timur District, Lahat Regency, through a home-based layer chicken assistance programme.
PTBA Corporate Secretary Division Head, Eko Prayitno, stated in a release received in Palembang on Tuesday that community empowerment is a process of building the capacity and independence of the community so that the developed businesses can continue to operate in the long term.
“What we want to build is a business ecosystem that can grow independently. Therefore, in addition to providing chickens and supporting facilities, PTBA also provides training and mentoring. Thus, the community does not just receive aid, but possesses the knowledge and skills to manage this business sustainably,” said Eko.
PTBA Sustainability Division Head, Dedy Saptaria Rosa, added that the commencement of egg production marks an important momentum to increase the community’s business capacity, including production management, poultry health maintenance, and egg marketing.
He added that the development of layer chicken cultivation also holds strategic value, as it has the potential not only to increase community income but also to support the availability of nutritious food sources at the local level.
“We hope this business evolves from a household scale into a collective enterprise that provides added value for the people of Sirly Pulau Village. In addition to generating income, the eggs produced can also support the fulfilment of food needs for the surrounding community,” he said.
The layer chicken cultivation programme is a result of collaboration between PTBA and Rumah Kreatif Sriwijaya as the implementing partner, involving experts in the field of poultry farming.
The programme also received support from the Community Development and Empowerment Forum (FP2M) and the Sirah Pulau Village Government.
As a follow-up, he explained that a site survey has been conducted in villages near the company’s Ring 1 area in preparation for maize planting and the development of an independent feed factory.
This step is expected to build a more efficient and sustainable layer chicken cultivation ecosystem. With increasing egg production, the resulting economic opportunities are also expected to grow.
For Amat, the chickens represent the beginning of hope for having his own income after previously relying on assistance from his children.
“Thank you to PTBA. We are grateful for the help. We hope it is not just 12 chickens. If there is additional chicken and feed, hopefully, it can be provided soon. If the chickens increase and production is good, we can also earn more income,” said programme beneficiary, Amat Surman (72).
He noted that he is caring for the chickens provided by PTBA’s Community Development and Empowerment (PPM) Programme next to his house. Each resident received 12 ready-to-lay chickens, feed, and cages.
The assisted chickens began laying eggs on the 16th day, faster than the initial estimate of 24 days. This production serves as both an additional food source and an income opportunity for residents who previously lacked steady employment.
In this programme, PTBA is collaborating with Rumah Kreatif Sriwijaya, the Community Development and Empowerment Forum (FP2M), and the Sirah Pulau Village Government.
To ensure sustainability, PTBA is also preparing training, mentoring, and plans to develop an independent feed factory based on local maize.