Red Onion Farmers Group In South Sulawesi Binaan PLN Raup Profits IDR 536 Million

BARRU - The Saromase Farmers Group in South Sulawesi, has successfully harvested tens of tons of shallots and produced hundreds of millions of rupiah thanks to the support of the PLN Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) program.

This is a manifestation of PLN's commitment to continue to encourage the development of the agricultural sector through the Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) program.

Starting in 2021, when the Saromase Farmers Group in Lampoko Village received assistance from 2 (two) tractor units from the PLN Development Main Unit (UIP) Sulawesi.

The tractor is used to open and expand agricultural fields around Steam Power Plants (PLTU).

In 2022, the TJSL program will continue with the help of shallot seeds.

Within approximately 5 months of planting, the Saromase Farmers Group reaped tens of times the production of shallots.

The head of the Saromase Farmers Group, Saharudin, enthusiastically told that the group of each farmer group initially received 1 sack of 25 kilograms (kg) of shallot seeds. From these seeds, it produces 400 kg of harvest.

If sold at a market price of IDR 18,000 per kg, the proceeds from the sale reach IDR 7.2 million.

"After deducting operational costs, the profit obtained is approximately Rp. 6.7 million. The total yield of shallots we get is 32 tons, so that the profit covered reaches Rp. 536 million," he explained.

Saharuddin and other member of the farmer group admitted that they were very happy with the significant yields of shallots.

Especially before carrying out shallot cultivation, the Saromase Farmers Group has learned from other regions that have succeeded in cultivation shallots.

Lampoko Village Head Budiman explained, thanks to the TJSL program, its citizens are now more productive and their work ethic has increased significantly.

Many vacant lands that were previously unworked and deemed unfertilizing have now turned into productive agricultural land.

"We are grateful to PLN for helping us in improving the welfare of the community and the village economy. This program provides many benefits for villagers to grow crops and be more productive," he added.

General Manager of PLN UIP Sulawesi Defiar Anis, is grateful that PLN's assistance was utilized and managed very well by the residents of Lampoko Village.

So that this program is able to have a direct impact on the welfare of the people around the PLN generator.

"We are grateful because the community has been able to reap the rewards of their hard work, namely the harvest of shallot crops. PLN is also proud because it has contributed and shown commitment in implementing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)," he said.

"Hopefully the residents of Lampoko Village will be more prosperous and can be independent in improving their business," concluded Anis.