IPB Alumni Bridge Superior Rice Variety Innovation in Banyumas

The Bogor Agricultural University Alumni Association (HA IPB) of Banyumas Raya is bridging the application of superior rice variety innovations from IPB University research to farmers through the inaugural planting of the IPB13Senopati variety (IPB13S/Mapan IPB) to increase productivity and farmer welfare. The IPB13S rice was planted on a one-hectare plot in Pegalongan Village, Patikraja District, Banyumas Regency, Central Java, on Sunday, as the initial stage of developing this superior variety. HA IPB Banyumas Raya Vice Chairman Kukuh Rasiyanto stated that IPB13S is an early-maturing variety, taking approximately 85 days after planting, thus potentially supporting an increase in the cropping index to three times a year (IP300). “Its lifespan is short, around 85 days to harvest. So it allows for planting three times a year, provided that replanting is done immediately after harvest,” he said. Besides being early-maturing, he noted the variety has a yield potential approaching 12 tonnes of unhusked rice per hectare, which is expected to help meet Banyumas’ rice production targets. According to him, the development of IPB13S will be expanded through partnerships that provide farmers with easier access to seeds, capital support, and market certainty. Meanwhile, Head of the Food Crops Division at the Banyumas Regency Agriculture Office, Yusuf Khanafi, said introducing new varieties is one strategy to achieve Banyumas’ rice production target of 390,003 tonnes from a total area of approximately 30,421 hectares of paddy fields. “The IPB13S variety has high productivity with a lifespan of around 85 days after planting, allowing the cropping index to increase from about 2.1 times to 2.5 times or even three plantings a year,” he said. He noted that although the actual yield is estimated at around 9 tonnes per hectare, the variety still has the potential to increase rice production. Furthermore, he said its resistance to planthopper pests is expected to reduce the risk of crop failure. “The Agriculture Office will assist farmers through agricultural extension workers, from soil fertility management and balanced fertilisation to the use of environmentally friendly pesticides,” he said. A farmer from Pegalongan Village, Amin, expressed optimism about the development of IPB13S, which is being planted on his land for the first time. “Our hope is for good results, a good harvest, free from various plant pests so the yield is abundant, and in the future, the price of unhusked rice will also be better,” he said. He mentioned that cultivation is carried out with assistance from HA IPB Banyumas Raya and utilises subsidised fertiliser and Pelangi NPK fertiliser under the Agro Solution programme. On a separate occasion, HA IPB Banyumas Raya Chairman Prawoko Setyo Aji said IPB13Senopati is an innovation from IPB University research with a yield potential of up to 11.55 tonnes of dry milled grain per hectare, a harvest age of around 85 days, adaptability to various land conditions, resistance to blast disease and planthopper pests, and produces premium rice with a fluffy texture. According to him, the development of IPB13S represents HA IPB’s role as a bridge between the university and farmers so that research results can be directly applied in agricultural fields. “We want agricultural expert innovations to be accessible to farmers and provide real benefits for increasing their productivity and welfare,” said Aji, who is also the Head of Perum Bulog Banyumas Branch Office. He hopes that more IPB University research results can be applied in Banyumas to strengthen agricultural productivity while supporting national food security.