Agrarian research must be at local level

JAKARTA (JP): Agricultural research and development (R&D) needs to be conducted at the local level to help communities identify and promote the most promising commodities in their respective regions, Minister of Agriculture Sjarifudin Baharsjah said yesterday.

"Currently, promotions to use certain agricultural techniques can only be applied in general, but cannot solve specific, local problems," he said at the opening yesterday of a seminar on the application of potassium magnesium sulfate (SKMg) fertilizer.

Sjarifudin acknowledged that decentralizing agricultural research and development activities would encourage each region to develop according to its own strengths.

The seminar discussed the usage of the newly-introduced SKMg fertilizer, known also by its mineral term, langbeinite.

Sjarifudin said that many problems faced by farmers could be more easily handled if research and development agencies were established at the local levels, instead of in Jakarta and provincial capitals only.

In introducing fertilizing technologies, for instance, the government's promotions have been limited to general application techniques, without considering specific geographic conditions, Sjarifudin said.

"We must now make changes if we want to increase productivity ... Research and development must not only focus on food crops, but should include other commodities as well. Especially those which can be considered the major strength of a certain region," he said.

Higher productivity has become an important issue in agriculture, not only because agricultural areas have been extended but also because the government has set certain targets to be reached, he said.

"With targets set for production and export and with the distribution of various credit and banking programs as well as marketing and transportation facilities, the demand and usage for fertilizers will no doubt increase," Sjarifudin said.

In the last 15 years, the utilization of several types of fertilizers has increased by 106 percent, or about 7.1 percent per year.

In 1981, only 3.1 million tons of fertilizers were used by farmers. In 1996, however, the utilization reached 6.4 million tons. The fertilizers whose utilization has increased include urea, super phosphate, KCl and ZA.

In terms of agricultural extension, areas designated for plantations have grown from 8.3 million hectares in 1981 to 13.8 million hectares in 1996. The variety of commodities has also increased to include palm oil, cacao, coffee and sugar.

"All of these developments will increase the usage of and demand for fertilizers," Sjarifudin said. (pwn)