PLN Electricity Boosts Onion Farmers' Productivity in Bone

Makassar (ANTARA) - PT PLN (Persero) through its Electrifying Agriculture (EA) programme has successfully brought new hope for improving productivity and cost efficiency for onion farmers in Bone Regency, South Sulawesi.

According to Sirajudin, one of the onion farmers in Telle Village, the PLN electricity from the EA programme launched in Bone Regency has proven capable of increasing production by up to twice as much and reducing operational costs by a more economical 74 per cent.

“In the past, we used diesel pumps; every day we had to look for fuel first to irrigate the onion fields. If there was no fuel, it couldn’t operate,” said Sirajudin in a written statement received in Makassar on Thursday.

The EA programme is not just about providing electricity, but also an innovation that serves as a concrete step by PLN in supporting the government’s programme to achieve food self-sufficiency.

In one harvest cycle, Sirajudin said he needed around 300 litres of petrol for irrigation over a month. With a retail price of Rp13,000 per litre, the operational costs incurred reached Rp3.9 million.

Now, the situation has changed since the arrival of PLN electricity. Using a power supply through a Public Electricity Filling Station (SPLU) with 5,500 Volt Ampere capacity, the irrigation process is carried out with an electric pump that only requires around 500 kilowatt hours (kWh) or about Rp1 million for one irrigation cycle over a month.

Water from the river is pumped steadily until it flows to the entire area of Sirajudin’s onion plantation.

The most noticeable change for the onion farmer is in operational efficiency and ease. He admitted that he no longer depends on fuel and no longer has to search for fuel every day.

Since the arrival of electricity used for lighting and which can reduce pests, there has been a recorded increase in onion production by up to twice as much.

Previously, when using diesel, onion production was only 500 kilograms to 700 kilograms per harvest cycle. Now, with the presence of electricity used as an energy source for pest-repelling lighting, onion production can increase to one tonne.

“Now it’s much easier; electricity is always available. Moreover, we save 74 per cent on operational costs. No need to bother looking for fuel anymore. Just turn on the pump, and the water flows immediately. Production has also increased significantly,” he said.

Bone Regent Andi Asman Sulaiman said he supports and appreciates the electricity-to-the-fields programme for pump irrigation initiated by PLN.

He said he had directly seen how farmers now find it easier to manage their land, productivity has increased, and operational costs can be reduced.

“This is a concrete step in promoting food security while also improving community welfare. The highest appreciation to PLN for its commitment and innovation in providing electricity that not only lights up homes but also powers the agricultural sector to the remotest areas,” he added.