South Kalimantan BRMP Plants First PM-AAS to Accelerate Agricultural Modernisation

The planting marks the beginning of the implementation of a modern, high-tech agriculture model on swampy land in South Kalimantan. Marabahan (ANTARA) - The Balai Besar Penerapan Modernisasi Pertanian South Kalimantan (BRMP Kalsel) under the Badan Perakitan dan Modernisasi Pertanian (BRMP) of the Ministry of Agriculture carried out the first planting of the Pertanian Modern-Advanced Agriculture System (PM-AAS) programme in Murung Keramat Village, Belawang Subdistrict, Barito Kuala Regency, on Thursday. “This planting marks the beginning of the implementation of a modern agriculture model based on high technology on swampy land in South Kalimantan,” said the Head of BRMP South Kalimantan, Dr. Wahida Annisa Yusuf, while leading the planting. She explained that the PM-AAS programme is an initiative of Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, adopted from modern agricultural technology in the state of Arkansas, United States. The Minister of Agriculture has assigned 15 provincial-level BRMPs throughout Indonesia to implement PM-AAS demonstration plots, including South Kalimantan. In South Kalimantan, the PM-AAS activities are spread across two regencies, namely Barito Kuala and Tabalong. Before being implemented in South Kalimantan, the PM-AAS model was trialled in Soppeng Regency, South Sulawesi, and successfully recorded productivity of up to 10.4 tonnes per hectare, far exceeding the national average rice production. The plant population increases two to three times because PM-AAS has several technical features that distinguish it from conventional farming methods. Wahida explained that this system uses direct seed planting (tabela) with dense planting patterns, while maintaining the jajar legowo system to ensure optimal light and air circulation. The fertilisation dosage is also increased by 1.5 times from the applicable standard recommendations. In addition to cultivation technical aspects, PM-AAS also emphasises efficiency improvements, mechanisation, precision agriculture, and corporate-based management as its hallmarks. Wahida hopes that this first planting will become the starting point for accelerating the transformation of agriculture on swampy land in South Kalimantan, as well as a replicable model for other regions with similar land characteristics throughout Indonesia. This symbolic first planting of PM-AAS was led directly by the Head of BRMP South Kalimantan and accompanied by the Head of the Barito Kuala Regency Agriculture, Food Security and Horticulture Office, representatives from the South Kalimantan Provincial Agriculture and Food Security Office, the South Kalimantan Regional Manager of Pupuk Indonesia, and representatives from BBPP Binuang. The Head of the Barito Kuala Regency Agriculture, Food Security and Horticulture Office, Dr. Wahyu Wiguna, expressed full support from his side for the implementation of PM-AAS technology in his area. He emphasised that the adoption of technology will still be adjusted to local conditions and characteristics. “We fully support this PM-AAS programme. However, its implementation must be adjusted to local conditions so that the results are optimal and sustainable,” said Wahyu.