Rembang adopts PM-AAS planting method to boost rice productivity

Rembang (ANTARA) - The Rembang Regency Government in Central Java has begun applying a rice planting method based on the Pertanian Modern Advanced Agricultural System (PM-AAS), hoping to increase plant populations while boosting farmers’ rice productivity.

“The application of the PM-AAS planting method is part of efforts to support the acceleration of the Central Java-wide joint rice planting movement,” said Agus Iwan Haswanto, Head of the Rembang Agriculture and Food Service (Dintanpan), while accompanying Deputy Regent H.M. Hanies Cholil Barro’ to a trial of the PM-AAS planting method on farmland in Mojorembun Village, Kaliori Subdistrict, Rembang, on Tuesday.

Deputy Regent M. Hanies Cholil Barro’ was present and tried out the planting machine modified by local farmers himself.

Agus said PM-AAS applies a planting pattern with tighter spacing than conventional methods. This pattern allows the number of plants per hectare to increase, potentially yielding higher production.

“Whereas seed normally requires 30 kilograms, the PM-AAS method needs 70 to 80 kilograms. But the plant population can be three to four times larger,” he said.

He said the conventional planting pattern produces a population of around 300,000 plants per hectare, while PM-AAS has the potential to reach one million plants per hectare.

“Production increases, from the usual 7 tonnes to around 10 tonnes per hectare,” he said.

Agus said Rembang Regency received a target of applying PM-AAS across 2,070 hectares. However, given the available land potential, the Agriculture Service has proposed expanding implementation to around 3,200 hectares.

“So for the trial land for this method, Rembang has applied for double the targeted area. This method is well suited to being applied in Rembang,” he said.

Mardi, a farmer from Mojorembun Village, said the method is being applied to 1.5 hectares of land. The government is providing support in the form of seed assistance and an increased fertiliser allocation.

“We plant using an innovative planting tool. The government helps with seeds and an increased fertiliser quota, because the more seeds planted, the greater the need for fertiliser,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Regent H.M. Hanies Cholil Barro’ said the application of PM-AAS forms part of efforts to develop modern agriculture. The method adapts modern agricultural technology applied in Arkansas, United States.

Although it has the potential to increase productivity, Hanies stressed that its implementation will still be evaluated based on harvest results. If proven to deliver optimal results, it can be expanded to other areas of Rembang Regency.