SMBR Takes Use of Ex-Mining Land that is Not Valuable to Become a High Selling Value Through Cultivation of Trigona Bee Colonies

BATURAJA – PT Semen Baturaja (Persero) Tbk (SMBR) has carried out reclamation and revegetation activities using a silvicultural system as a result of mining raw materials for cement production. By utilizing the ex-mining area, the Beeyond Team SMBR made an environmentally friendly innovation, namely ecosystem management in the Quarry Ex-Mining Land Area with a Silvicultural System as a Habitat for Cultivating Trigona Bee Colonies.

The green areas resulting from the reclamation program grow many types of plants. The land area of ​​30.14 Ha on the ex-mining land is filled with various fruit plants, flowering ornamental plants, and plants with medium to tall trees.

This type of ornamental plant that contains a lot of nectar and pollen is very favored by bee colonies, so the idea arose for the use of these plants as a habitat for the cultivation of Trigona bee colonies.

This innovation really supports SMBR’s vision and mission to become the Leading Green Cement Based Building Material Company in Indonesia. Activities like this help SMBR to create a cement factory that is environmentally friendly and able to have a positive impact on the surrounding community.

The former SMBR mining environment is very supportive for beekeeping activities. The Company sees the potential of this innovation to assist the reclamation and post-mining process of SMBR Mining in general and specifically to assist the vegetative reproduction process of plants planted in the reclamation area.

“We carry out seeding, weaning, and nursery activities at the Nursery Green House Division Mining location. After the seeds are ready to be planted, first the area where the plants will be planted for the trigona bee breed is carried out by spreading LCC (Legume Cover Crop) so that the soil becomes more fertile again.” said Hendri Irawan Manuhutu, Vice President of Mining.

In addition, SMBR plans to empower experienced local beekeepers in the Baturaja area to develop this innovation. So that it is expected to be able to educate other people to participate in beekeeping independently, and can be one of the activities that support the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The Trigona bee or what we often call the kelulut bee, clancing, klenceng, bells, etc. is one of the largest stingless bee genera. Trigona is the most commonly used type of honey bee traditionally maintained by rural communities around forest areas in Indonesia.

In September 2021, the first harvest was carried out which was attended by the Director of Production & Development and the Director of General Affairs & HR. SMBR Vice President Mining Hendry Irawan Manuhutu said that the results obtained in the first harvest were very satisfying.

“Honey is harvested directly using a honey suction machine which is made by modifying the aquarium vacuum pump so that it can be used as a sucker for harvested trigona bee honey. It has also been prepared to be brought home by the Directors and employees who attended with attractive packaging.” he said.
Currently, the area where reclamation activities have been carried out is around 30 hectares. Based on the reference of a research result, for one hectare of green area can be placed as many as 15 boxes of bee colonies. So that if all the reclaimed land can be optimized for trigona honey production, then honey production can potentially reach 45 – 90 liters of honey per month with the assumed parameter of 0.1 – 0.2 liters per box per month. However, for now, not all reclamation areas can be optimized because it is still in the research and observation stage, the total boxes currently owned by SMBR are 40 boxes of bee colonies and Alhamdulillah currently, Trigona honey production has reached 3-5 liters per 1.5 months.

“The Trigona Bee Cultivation is a Green Economy Role Mode which is applied to ex-mining areas that are no longer economical to produce honey with high economic value. Hopefully, with this program, we will be able to empower the post-mining economy and provide health benefits by consuming Trigona honey.” he added. {}