REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PANGKAL PINANG -- The government of Bangka Belitung (Babel) province received assistance worth some Rp8 billion from the central government to make optimal use of the 1,000-hectare pepper plantations in the region.

"Currently, projects to optimize farmers' pepper plantations are being auctioned, and hopefully, they can commence in the beginning of the month," an official from the Plantation and Agriculture Office of Babel, Zola, said in Pangkalpinang on Monday.

Zola added that the funds from the state budget was set to increase the productivity of farmers' in the 350-hectare pepper plantations in Belitung district, the 300-hectare plantations in East Belitung district, and the 350-hectare plantations in West Bangka.

"The funding is allocated for the procurement of fertilizers and pesticides, expected to reduce farmers' burden and increase production," Zola explained.

So far, farmers faced difficulty in increasing their production due to the limited availability of fertilizers and time wasted on handling pests that degrade the crops.

"With the optimization program, we can hopefully help farmers develop more interest in tending to their plantations," Zola remarked.

The current production is still limited and is unable to meet the high demands of national and international markets.

"White pepper grown in this region is in great demand in global markets for its taste and flavor, unlike white pepper grown in other areas," Zola pointed out.

Therefore, the local agriculture and plantation office will continue to assist farmers through training programs, delivery of quality seeds, and other measures.

"We hope farmers take advantage of this program to increase the yield of white pepper, which will ultimately improve their welfare," Zola emphasized.