The Polman Babel FGD Collaborates with Partners and Farmer Groups to Discuss Reclamation of Former Tin Mining Land
Participants in the FGD at Polman Negeri Babel appeared enthusiastic about participating in the discussion on reclamation of former tin mining land based on organic compost to support food security in Bangka Belitung.
The Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic, the leading university in Bangka Belitung, supported sustainable development through a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the Use of Organic Compost for Reclamation of Former Tin Mining Land as an Effort to Increase Food Security in Bangka Belitung. It was held on the second floor of the Joint Lecture Building on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
The event served as a forum for bringing together academics, government officials, industry, and farmer groups to discuss real-world solutions for reusing former tin mining land to restore productivity and economic value to the Bangka Belitung community.
The FGD was attended by various parties, including ANW Organic Compost Fertilizer partners, the Bangka Regency Environmental Agency, PT Timah Agro Manunggal, the Kimak Bahrain Lestari Farmers Group (Gapoktan Kimak Bahrain Lestari), and the Sinar Abadi Farmers Group (Gapoktan Sinar Abadi Penyamun Village). Also present were two keynote speakers, Ir. Ria Meliyati Situngkir, M.M. from the Bangka Belitung Province Agriculture and Food Security Office, and Hasanudin, S.H. from the Bangka Belitung Province Environment and Forestry Office.
In a speech by Deputy Director I of Polman Babel, Irwan, Ph.D., he stated that this activity is crucial for encouraging lecturers to actively conduct research and community service with farmer groups through various Polman Babel projects that have a direct impact on the community.
In fact, ex-mining land, previously considered unproductive, actually holds great potential as a research and community service location for lecturers, creating sustainable agricultural innovations based on reclamation.
"Polman Babel wants to provide solutions through research and collaboration with the community, as ex-mining land can be reused through proper management, thereby supporting regional food security," he explained.
In her presentation, Ir. Ria Meliyati Situngkir, M.M., a resource person from the Bangka Belitung Province Agriculture and Food Security Office, explained various solutions for managing ex-tin mining land for food crop cultivation through the use of organic compost and improving soil nutrients.
Meanwhile, Hasanudin, S.H., from the Bangka Belitung Province Environment and Forestry Office, explained the importance of reclaiming ex-mining land as a form of environmental restoration and an effort to maintain ecosystem balance in Bangka Belitung.
The Head of the FGD, Mahmudin, S.P., M.Si., expressed his gratitude to all participants, speakers, academics, local governments, companies, and the community for their strategic input. He believes the issue of ex-mining land is a shared concern due to the vast area experiencing soil degradation in Bangka Belitung.
Mahmudin hopes the results of this discussion will be the beginning of the development of applicable, innovative, and sustainable organic compost technology to support the reclamation of ex-tin mining land. In addition to increasing land productivity, the program is expected to strengthen food security and improve the welfare of the Bangka Belitung community.
As a form of appreciation and recognition for their contributions to the activity, after the event, Polman Negeri Babel presented souvenirs to the speakers and partners who had supported and participated in the Focus Group Discussion on the use of organic compost for reclamation of former tin mining land in Bangka Belitung," he concluded.
