BRMP Aceh harvests high-quality Jakarin and Bisma corn seeds
Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - The implementation team of the Corn Seed Source Management Unit (UPBS) of the Aceh Agricultural Modernisation Application Centre (BRMP) has conducted a large-scale harvest of high-quality Jakarin and Bisma corn seed varieties.
“This harvest marks the peak of a cultivation period that has been carried out intensively for four months,” said the Person in Charge of the BRMP Aceh Corn UPBS activities, Didi Darmadi, in Aceh Besar, on Tuesday.
The large-scale harvest was conducted alongside the Aceh Province Seed Supervision and Certification Agency (BPSB), farmer group leaders, and implementing farmers in Gampong Saree, Lembah Seulawah District, Aceh Besar Regency.
Didi stated that the harvest of Jakarin and Bisma corn took place on four hectares of land, with an initial production target of approximately seven tonnes.
However, the total harvest yield or final realisation cannot yet be calculated as it is still in progress, and remains uncertain due to the prolonged drought and dry season experienced by Aceh recently.
“The corn plants suffered drought stress from the beginning of the planting period, so the harvest yield cannot be estimated yet. The initial production target was around seven tonnes,” he said.
He explained that the UPBS programme is designed to ensure the sustainable availability of high-quality corn seeds to strengthen seed independence in the local area.
Didi mentioned that the corn varieties successfully harvested this time were Jakarin and Bisma. Initial field measurements showed the corn moisture content was at 15 per cent.
“To meet the absolute certification standards of the BPSB, the corn will undergo further processing until it reaches the target moisture content of 11 per cent,” said Didi.
On this occasion, he expressed his appreciation to all parties involved, particularly the implementing farmers in the field, ensuring the large-scale corn seed harvest proceeded smoothly.
Meanwhile, a representative from BPSB Aceh, Amrullah, stated that there are several stages required to maintain seed quality in accordance with post-harvest testing quality standards.
These include uniform shelling, where shelled seeds must undergo a sieving process to ensure uniform size before being taken to the laboratory. This is followed by controlled drying, where sun-drying is carefully managed until the moisture content reaches the safe limit of 11 per cent. Finally, there is the guarantee of superior seed distribution, ensuring only seeds that pass high-quality qualification are distributed to farmers.
“With the successful production of Jakarin and Bisma varieties through this breeding activity, it is hoped that corn seed procurement at the regency/city level can be supported independently by local seeds produced by this UPBS,” concluded Amrullah.