Padang Boosts Food Security Through Quality Fertiliser Distribution
The Padang City Government, West Sumatra, continues to strengthen regional food security by increasing support for agricultural production facilities. One of the crucial steps taken is ensuring the availability and distribution of high-quality fertiliser for farmers to restore soil fertility while boosting harvest productivity.
Through the Department of Agriculture, the Padang City Government is now focusing on meeting fertiliser needs in adequate quantities and high quality. This effort is being undertaken to ensure that all agricultural commodities in the region receive optimal nutrient intake. This strategy is aimed not only at boosting harvests in the short term but also at maintaining soil health sustainably as the primary foundation for long-term food security.
Regarding the fertiliser formula, Ansoriudin, Secretary of the Padang City Department of Agriculture, explained that the implemented scheme involves combining high-quality chemical fertiliser with organic fertiliser. This combination is considered effective for maintaining the balance of nutrients while improving soil structure.
“We are applying a blend of super chemical fertiliser and organic fertiliser. For the chemical fertiliser, we are using NPK Mutiara, which is one of the best NPK fertilisers and is currently ready to be distributed for agricultural needs in Padang City,” said Ansoriudin on Thursday (2/7).
According to Ansoriudin, the use of chemical fertiliser alone is insufficient to maintain land productivity in the long term. Therefore, the addition of organic fertiliser is a vital factor in increasing soil microorganism activity and maintaining the fertility of agricultural land.
To ensure effectiveness in the field, the Padang City Department of Agriculture has prepared a distribution scheme and dosage regulations to ensure that fertiliser delivery is precisely targeted. For NPK Mutiara fertiliser, the total allocation prepared reaches approximately 1.6 tonnes with a usage dosage of 25 kilograms per hectare. Meanwhile, manure as a supporting element is allocated at 1.2 tonnes per hectare per year.
“Overall, the fertiliser allocation for Padang City includes approximately 1.6 tonnes of NPK Mutiara accompanied by 1.2 tonnes of manure,” Ansoriudin added.
The department is optimistic that the combination of high-quality fertiliser with the correct dosage will have a direct impact on boosting agricultural productivity during this year’s planting season. Furthermore, the increase in harvests is expected to provide a multiplier effect for the regional economy, particularly in increasing the income and welfare of local farmers.
Strengthening the agricultural sector is also a crucial part of the Padang City Government’s efforts to maintain food supply stability, suppress potential price volatility (inflation), and strengthen regional food independence amidst the challenges of climate change and global economic dynamics.