Press Release

Muara Enim, 17 November 2025 – The Simpang Karso Quail Farming Group in Darmo Village has once again demonstrated significant progress through the successful harvest of chili cultivated using quail manure (kohe) as organic fertilizer.

This initiative is part of the 2025 PETI (Illegal Mining) Transformation Program supported by PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) through its Sustainability Division.

Agustian Kholiq, Chairman of the Simpang Karso Quail Farming Group, expressed his gratitude and appreciation for PTBA’s continuous guidance.

“We extend our sincere thanks to PTBA for supporting and accompanying the development of our business. This time, we are collaborating with chili farmers to utilize quail manure as organic fertilizer. We hope PTBA will continue supporting us in the future,” said Agustian, who is commonly known as Agus.

Head of Hamlet III Darmo Village, Rika Hiriansyah, also expressed gratitude for PTBA’s ongoing support that has contributed to the advancement of the local community.

“Alhamdulillah, we are seeing a great deal of progress in our community. Success after success is being felt by our farmers—from quail to watermelon, and now chili cultivation. This aligns with our village’s food security program. We hope this support will continue to produce more independent farmers in our village,” Rika said.

Utilizing Quail Manure to Boost Chili Farming Productivity
This planting season, the group cultivated 500 planting points of red bird’s eye chili (locally known as cabe setan). By using organic fertilizer derived from quail manure, the plants grew more robust and showed greater resistance to pests, resulting in stronger yield projections.

From the total planting points, the estimated harvest is projected to reach 0.5 tons, expected to be obtained over 25 gradual harvest cycles. This outcome showcases the effectiveness of organic fertilizer use and the success of PTBA’s ongoing community development efforts.

Signing of Quail Egg Sales Cooperation Agreement
In addition to the chili harvest, the Simpang Karso Quail Farming Group, under PTBA’s PETI Transformation Program, officially entered into a Quail Egg Sales Cooperation Agreement with Yandra, a quail egg distributor from Baturaja.

Through this agreement, both parties have committed to a maximum supply volume of 1 ton of quail eggs per month specifically for the designated collaboration area. This volume serves as a market stabilizer and reinforcer, complementing existing continuous sales volumes in other marketing locations.

PTBA’s Commitment to Strengthening Community Economic Independence
The signing ceremony was witnessed by PTBA’s management as a demonstration of the company’s commitment to supporting the development of productive community enterprises through sustainable mentorship.

Mustafa Kamal, PTBA’s Sustainable Economic, Social, & Environment Department Head, stated that the PETI Transformation Program is the company’s effort to provide sustainable livelihood alternatives for communities previously at risk of engaging in illegal mining activities. Through this program, PTBA is committed to delivering measurable, targeted, and impactful community empowerment.

Mustafa emphasized that this partnership is a crucial step in expanding market access for the assisted groups while strengthening the sustainability of their productive ventures.

“The increase in egg supply volume under this cooperation not only reinforces the marketing chain but also ensures the group has greater opportunities for stable income growth,” he said.

He further affirmed that PTBA will continue fostering the emergence of new economic strengths around the company’s operational areas through collaboration, mentorship, and ongoing innovation.