Bangkiling Raya villagers receive 7,000 tilapia fish seeds from Adaro

Tanjung, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Residents of Bangkiling Raya Village, Banua Lawas Sub-district, Tabalong District, South Kalimatan, received an assistance of 7,000 tilapia fish seeds from PT Adaro Indonesia to support their local fish cultivation.

Adaro representative from HSE (Health, Security, and Environment) Department, Yunesto, said the best tilapia seeds was provided as a step to prepare post-mining communities through freshwater fish cultivation.

"This other form of reclamation in the form of fish cultivation is expected to develop people's economy in the surrounding of mining operational area," explained Yunesto here on Wednesday.

The assistance, which was facilitated by Adaro Foundation (YABN) was a follow-up to the results of survey regarding the potential of fish farming that is already underway in Bangkiling Raya.

"Fish cultivation in Bangkiling Raya Village is already running, so we want to help its development so it spread to residents of other villages," said Yunesto.

The recipients of the assistance were expected to seriously and continously doing their business of farming fish.

One of the recipients, Husni, said he had been doing this business since a year ago and the additional seeds from Adaro can expand his business.

"This additional seeds really helps me develop tilapia cultivation and I hope to receive assistance to make my business sustainable," said Husni

Head of Bangkiling Raya Village Abdul Gafur said he is optimistic that tilapia farming here to develop, because they had previously received training and assistance from YABN.

It is proven that tilapia cultivation business managed by Miftahul Ulum Islamic Boarding School here growing rapidly and became example for other Islamic boarding school.

"We previously also received fish pond assistance, kelulut honey cultivation and packaged pangasius fish processing," explained Abdul Gafur.