New farming system get mixed results<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Local agricultural research agencies have found
\nthey got mixed productivity results when using the conservation
\ntillage technology system on rice farms in four provinces.<\/p>\n
The president of herbicides manufacturer PT Monagro Kimia,
\nHans Biljmer, said yesterday the system had increased rice
\nproduction by between 1.5 percent and 18.5 percent in North and
\nSouth Sumatra, and West Java but reduced production in Lampung.<\/p>\n
The system, which helps reduce staff levels and soil damage,
\ninvolves the use of herbicides.<\/p>\n
The research shows that in the West Java village of Sukamandi
\nthe system helped increase rice production 1.5 percent to 6.6
\ntons a hectare and in Kerasan, North Sumatra, 18.5 percent to 8.3
\ntons a hectare.<\/p>\n
But rice production in the Lampung villages of Taman Bogo and
\nTrimurjo decreased from 6.8 tons a hectare to 5.8 tons a hectare
\nand from 5.7 tons a hectare to 5.4 tons a hectare respectively
\nafter the implementation of the system.<\/p>\n
But Biljmer said yesterday the system could help increase rice
\nproduction by up to 200 percent a year if it was applied better.
\n\"The system can increase harvests up to three times a year from
\nthe current average of 1.4 times,\" he said.<\/p>\n
When asked about the government's warning against the use of
\nherbicides, Biljmer said his company produced safe products and
\nthat the government had approved his product's formula.<\/p>\n
\"But herbicides can be hazardous if they are not applied
\nproperly,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The Director General of Food Crops and Horticulture, Amrin
\nKahal, said the government has appealed farmers to take special
\nprecautions if using herbicides.<\/p>\n
Farmers should use them at the right time and with the right
\nequipment, method and dose, he said.<\/p>\n
There are about 40 million farmers in Indonesia and many are
\nreluctant to wear protection like gloves, masks and boots because
\nof the heat, Biljmer said. (10)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-farming-system-get-mixed-results-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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