Since its construction in 2019, Talawi Mudik Village's solar irrigation system with 18.7 kilowatt peak (kWp) capacity has benefited about 460 people, including 115 farmers and 345 of their families.
Prior to PTBA solar irrigation, the 62 acres of rice fields produced only about 248 tons of grain annually because farmers were dependent on rainfall and could only harvest once a year. Now the harvest can reach approximately 1,000 tons per year from three harvests as solar irrigation allowing farmers to plant all year round.
According to Dian, a member of the Tampang Jaya Farmers Group who is one of solar irrigation beneficiaries, PTBA’s assistance has really helped farmers increase rice and secondary crop production.
"Solar irrigation benefits not only rice farmers but also the farmers of water spinach, corn, chile, and secondary crops. Cattle farmers benefit immensely from the never-ending flow of water as well. I would like to thank PTBA for the solar irrigation support on behalf of the community and the Tampang Jaya Farmers Group. Hopefully, PTBA will continue to be successful," said Dian.
Another farmer, Andri, also acknowledged the great benefits of the solar irrigation that resulted in farmers' enthusiasm for work. "Thank God. We used to harvest only once a year but now we can harvest five times in two years," he said.
The PTBA Sustainability Team recently visited the solar irrigation, which was completed four years ago, to review its condition and its positive impact on the community.
"PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) as a member of the MIND ID Mining BUMN Holding has a vision to become a world-class energy company that cares about the environment. The construction of solar irrigation in Talawi Mudik Village is one example of our concern for the environment," said AVP Sustainable Economic, Social & Environment PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) Mustafa Kamal.
The solar irrigation system in Talawi Mudik Village has been successfully maintained since it was installed four years ago, thanks to collaboration with the local. Every harvest, each farmer contributes 1 kilogram of rice valued around IDR 10,000. The entire donation from 115 farmers amounts to approximately IDR 1.15 million. Around IDR 3.45 million was collected from three harvests every year for solar power plant and irrigation pump maintenance costs.
"We hope the residents of Talawi Village continue to feel the benefits of this solar irrigation, so that their welfare will continue to improve," said Mustafa.
