Study of the utilization of ex-tin mining land for agriculture: Analysis of land potential and constraints faced

Abstract

The reclaimed ex-mining land has the potential for agricultural development. This study aims to analyze the potential of existing tin mining land for agricultural purposes and identify the current ex-mining land status and constraints/problems in its utilization. The study was conducted in Bangka Belitung Province in 2016, with a sample of farmers who took part in ex-tin mining activities and official respondents from various institutions/agencies related to the study. Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The study results show that in the research site, the tin mining business permit (IUP) area (in 2012) was 473.99 thousand ha and around 7,000 ha of ex-mining land has been reclaimed and allowed for planting food crop commodities. However, the community faces several problems in using the ex-mining land, namely land legal status, soil fertility, farmer resource availability, farmers' skill in farming on ex-mining land and limited farming capital. The clarity of the legal status of the use of ex-mining land is essential to support community interest and increase the use of ex-tin mining land as well as program support from the government in the form of assistance and infrastructure for farming development.