PUSHING THE IMPROVEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL QUALITY PT TWC DEVELOPES ORGANIC-BASED AGRICULTURE

PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur Prambanan & Ratu Boko (Persero) continues to provide its services to the community. As a form of commitment to support the strategic program of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia in realizing food security, PT TWC through the Partnership and Community Development Program (PKBL) in the nature conservation sector, especially for agricultural land, carried out joint planting of IR 64 rice seeds in Jongkangan Hamlet, Taman Martani, Kalasan, Sleman, Thursday (15/10/2020). This activity is part of the launch of an organic farming development program based on local resources to improve the economic level of the surrounding community.

The activity was initiated by the Jonggukkan hamlet community which was then welcomed by PKBL PT TWC. This local food resource improvement program aims to improve the standard of living of rural communities, especially with high-quality agricultural products. Organic plant cultivation is now widely known to the public along with the trend of healthy living. Many organic farmers have emerged along with the increasingly open market share. Not only because it has high economic value, organic farming is important for improving the agricultural ecosystem that is increasingly damaged by exposure to synthetic or chemical materials such as pesticides.

"Through this program, it is hoped that it can raise awareness of the importance of organic food ingredients which in addition to providing more benefits for the body can also produce high economic value along with public awareness of the importance of healthy food ingredients." Explained Edy Setijono, President Director of PT TWC

Data from the Sleman Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries Service (DP3) noted that rice production in Berbah, Prambanan, and Kalasan Districts has continued to decline in the last four years. In Kalasan District, rice production throughout 2016 to 2019 was 22,11 tons, 19,53 tons, 17,03 tons and 16,76 tons, respectively.

PT TWC is moved to improve the quality of agriculture during this pandemic. Agricultural problems in Indonesia, especially the availability of organic staple foods which are still minimal, are the main concerns that PT TWC is looking at. This is urgent where society is faced with the Covid-19 pandemic which forces people to live healthier and better lives.

In this first program, rice planting was carried out on 1000 square meters of land for field schools. Meanwhile, for its implementation, it was carried out on 1,2 hectares of land with a planting to harvest period of around 85 days.

Kalasan Sub-district Head Siti Anggraeni hopes that through this activity, food independence can be fostered. In addition, it can improve the standard of living of villagers with high selling value. "We hope that this program can also be implemented in other villages in the Kalasan area that have productive land for the development of this organic food ingredient." She explained.

In this activity, the Labuhan tradition is also carried out with the surrounding community. This is a sign of the change of spirit and new awareness for farmers in Jonggukgangan Hamlet.

PT TWC's commitment as a form of BUMN for Indonesia to always strive to improve the welfare of the community in line with the strategic programs of the Indonesian Government, especially during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The existence of community development and empowerment programs as a form of direct involvement and as a response to social responsibility for the existence of PT TWC in the midst of society.