The West Papua Agricultural Modernisation Application Agency (BRMP)\nis developing maize seed breeding in Manokwari Regency, which is\nprojected to produce approximately six tonnes of seeds to meet the\nplanting requirements for up to 200 hectares of land.<\/p>\n
During a visit to the breeding site in Macuan Village, Manokwari, on\nSaturday, the Head of BRMP West Papua, Abdul Syukur Syarif, stated that\nindependent maize seed development is a strategic step to strengthen\nfood security and reduce dependence on supplies from outside the region.\n\u201cThis pilot plot of approximately one hectare is projected to produce\nsix tonnes of maize seeds, which can be used to develop around 200\nhectares of land,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The inspection was conducted alongside the Deputy Chief of West Papua\nRegional Police, Brigadier General Sulastiana, and BRMP officials to\nobserve the progress of the seed breeding and the construction site of a\nmaize dryer, which will serve as a post-harvest support facility.\nAccording to Abdul Syukur, the presence of the dryer will help maintain\nseed quality and increase productivity, supporting a more modern and\nsustainable seeding system. \u201cThe dryer machine is very helpful in\nmaintaining seed quality,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The BRMP field team has also evaluated crop conditions affected by\nfall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) attacks, although the development\nin the pilot plot is considered to be progressing well and showing\npositive growth. During the visit, the Head of BRMP West Papua also\nintroduced the \u2018single replanting\u2019 method, which involves replanting\nbefore the harvest period ends to increase land-use efficiency and\naccelerate the production cycle.<\/p>\n
Deputy Chief of West Papua Police, Brigadier General Sulastiana,\nemphasised that all planning must be data-driven, covering potential\nland area, the number of farmer groups, and seed requirements for each\ndistrict, ensuring that the maize commodity development programme is\nmeasurable and sustainable. The police force continues to support\ngovernment efforts to strengthen national food security by increasing\nagricultural productivity and regional seed independence, noting the\nneed for collaboration between technical agencies and local farmer\ngroups. \u201cWe hope that all efforts made can establish Manokwari as one of\nthe centres for seed development and maize production in West Papua,\u201d\nsaid Sulastiana.<\/p>\n
During the visit, BRMP West Papua also provided guidance to farmers\nregarding fertilisation techniques to increase maize productivity,\nincluding the use of urea and Phonska fertiliser blends tailored to the\nplants\u2019 needs.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/west-papua-brmp-develops-maize-seeds-to-expand-planting-to-200-hectares-1780802577", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }