New farming system get mixed results

New farming system get mixed results

JAKARTA (JP): Local agricultural research agencies have found
they got mixed productivity results when using the conservation
tillage technology system on rice farms in four provinces.

The president of herbicides manufacturer PT Monagro Kimia,
Hans Biljmer, said yesterday the system had increased rice
production by between 1.5 percent and 18.5 percent in North and
South Sumatra, and West Java but reduced production in Lampung.

The system, which helps reduce staff levels and soil damage,
involves the use of herbicides.

The research shows that in the West Java village of Sukamandi
the system helped increase rice production 1.5 percent to 6.6
tons a hectare and in Kerasan, North Sumatra, 18.5 percent to 8.3
tons a hectare.

But rice production in the Lampung villages of Taman Bogo and
Trimurjo decreased from 6.8 tons a hectare to 5.8 tons a hectare
and from 5.7 tons a hectare to 5.4 tons a hectare respectively
after the implementation of the system.

But Biljmer said yesterday the system could help increase rice
production by up to 200 percent a year if it was applied better.
"The system can increase harvests up to three times a year from
the current average of 1.4 times," he said.

When asked about the government's warning against the use of
herbicides, Biljmer said his company produced safe products and
that the government had approved his product's formula.

"But herbicides can be hazardous if they are not applied
properly," he said.

The Director General of Food Crops and Horticulture, Amrin
Kahal, said the government has appealed farmers to take special
precautions if using herbicides.

Farmers should use them at the right time and with the right
equipment, method and dose, he said.

There are about 40 million farmers in Indonesia and many are
reluctant to wear protection like gloves, masks and boots because
of the heat, Biljmer said. (10)