Results of Phase I Organic Compost Research by Lecturers from the State Polytechnic of Babel Tested on Former Mining Land
A research team of lecturers and students from the Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic together with the ANW Organic Compost Fertilizer Startup partner took a group photo after the first phase of organic compost trials on former mining land in Kimak and Air Jangkang Villages.
Lecturers from the Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic (Polman Babel), the best vocational university in Bangka Belitung, began investigating the effectiveness of phase one organic compost production through trials on ex-mining land in Kimak and Air Jangkang Villages on Saturday (June 6, 2026).
This program is part of the 2026 Bestari Saintek program, involving a team of lecturers, students, and business partners from the ANW Organic Compost Fertilizer Startup. This collaboration is the first step in developing organic-based land restoration technology.
When contacted for confirmation on Monday (June 8, 2026), lead researcher Mahmudin, M.Si., stated that through field trials, the research team aims to determine the extent to which the compost produced can improve the condition of ex-mining land and support the growth of food crops. This will serve as evaluation material for improving the compost product in the next phase.
Furthermore, this testing is a step to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the organic compost produced, with a focus on supporting the cultivation of food crops such as corn and sorghum on land that has previously been classified as less productive.
"Organic compost development needs to be continued to support the restoration of post-mining land and increase food crop productivity in the Bangka Belitung region," he acknowledged.
Mahmudin believes that utilizing organic compost has the potential to open up creative economic opportunities for local communities through the management and production of locally sourced fertilizers.
In fact, the participation of partners in the first phase of compost production activities significantly supports the smooth running of the production process and serves as a means of transferring knowledge about organic composting techniques," he added.
He also acknowledged that the effectiveness of the compost produced cannot yet be directly concluded because field testing on post-mining land is still needed to obtain more accurate and comprehensive data.
Meanwhile, Anwar, a partner of the ANW Organic Compost Fertilizer Startup, stated that the entire first phase of organic compost production went according to plan thanks to the solid collaboration between the research team, lecturers from Polman Babel, and the main partners, who mutually support the rehabilitation of post-mining land and increase food crop productivity.
"This has a positive impact on improving the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. Therefore, this finding can be the basis for developing a more effective compost formulation that is suitable for the conditions of ex-mining land in developing productive agriculture," concluded Anwar.
