The 1.3 hectare (ha) unoccupied land in Tanjung Karangan Village, Muara Enim Regency, is now green with more than 40,000 plant seeds cultivated there, thanks to the Eco Agrotomation Program (Environmentally Friendly, Automation-Based Plant Cultivation).The success of the Eco Agrotomation Program is due to the competence of Zailani, a 40-year-old Tanjung Karangan Village Local Hero, and support from PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA).
According to Zailani, this environmentally friendly, automation-based plant cultivation began with the development of the Climate Village Program by PTBA in Tanjung Karangan Village. An attitude towards caring for the environment grew among the village community since then. Zaliani, together with 10 participants then started to implement the Eco Agrotomation Program to support greening activities in the local area.
In 2022, he and PT Bukit Asam Tbk started a business development by implementing automation in the plant cultivation process based on new and renewable energy, using Solar Power Plants. Previously, watering and fertilizing plants was done manually so the amount of water and fertilizer delivered could not be maintained in accordance to standards.
Watering and fertilizing plants can now be done automatically at standard doses thanks to this automation. The plants grow better and use water more efficiently. The automated system also includes a monitoring dashboard that is connected to a cellphone, allowing managers to better monitor and control their plant cultivation.
The environmentally friendly mission is also achieved with the utilization of solar power plant as the electricity source. This new and renewable energy (NRE)-based automation not only reduces emissions from the plant growing process, but also cuts daily operational costs.
"We are very grateful to PT Bukit Asam Tbk for supporting us in improving the program through training, mentoring and program development. Our team will continue to encourage people to care about the environment so that the planet we live on remains sustainable," said Zailani.
Meanwhile, according to VP Sustainability of PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) Hartono, the company is aware that achieving the carbon neutral target (Net Zero Emission) and tackling climate change are interdependent. Thus, synergy with stakeholders, including the local community, is essential.
"In order to fulfil this commitment, we are inviting pioneers, initiators and change agents – the Local Heroes, to work together to improve civilization," said Hartono.
Besides improving the community's income, Tanjung Karangan Village's Eco Agrotomation program is now able to regularly conduct social awareness campaigns in the local area. This includes providing assistance to the elderly, orphans, as well as offering assistance in the event of a natural disasters.
In addition, this program has developed into an agrotourism destination. Many educational and government institutions have organized field visits and learning programs related to environmentally friendly, automation-based plant cultivation.
