Holding Demonstration Plots, Pupuk Kaltim Increases Nunukan Corn Kernel Productivity

JAKARTA - Encouraging national agricultural productivity, PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (Pupuk Kaltim) through the Demonstration Plot (Demplot) program has succeeded in increasing the productivity of corn kernel in Mansapa Village, Nunukan Selatan District, Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan. The success of this program was marked by the harvest of corn kernel by the Pupuk Kaltim team together with the local Regional Government, Friday 27 January.

AVP Sales of Pupuk Kaltim for the Kaltimtara Region, Agus Marjuma, revealed that the productivity increase from the demonstration plots reached 6.8 tons per hectare (Ha), or far above the national average of 5.4 tons/ha. This program cooperates with the Setia Kawan Farmers Group in Mansapa Village on an area of ​​0.5 Ha, with a planting period of 110-115 days.

"This demonstration plot program also applies a balanced fertilization pattern using Pupuk Kaltim's superior products, namely Urea Daun Buah and NPK Pelangi 16-16-16," said Agus Marjuma, in a written statement, quoted on Wednesday 1 February.

He explained that the demonstration plot program in Nunukan Regency has so far been implemented by Pupuk Kaltim in two locations, namely in South Nunukan and Sebatik Districts. In addition to efforts to increase the productivity of community agricultural products, the demonstration plots are also a form of proving the superiority of Pupuk Kaltim products, especially non-subsidized fertilizers, so that farmers who previously depended on subsidized fertilizers can find out the difference in yield and quality achieved at harvest time.

"The Demonstration Plot is a continuation of Pupuk Kaltim's efforts to educate farmers to get more significant results, through a balanced fertilization pattern using non-subsidized products produced by the company," explained Agus.

Assistance is also carried out periodically, involving the Regional Government through the local Agricultural Field Extension (PPL). Assistance is carried out from the beginning of processing and preparing the land, including the selection of seeds properly and correctly. After planting, the assistance is continued with balanced fertilization and periodic evaluations until harvest time.

"During the demonstration plot, farmers receive assistance from the Pupuk Kaltim team together with PPL, especially for balanced fertilization patterns in addition to land management and seed selection," added Agus.

Seeing the results obtained, Agus Marjuma also hopes that this program can be accepted by Nunukan farmers to be applied on an ongoing basis on a wider area, so that the productivity of loose corn as one of Nunukan's mainstay commodities will increase.

"We hope that the success of this demonstration plot will be a motivation for Nunukan farmers, so that increased agricultural productivity in the future can be achieved more optimally," said Agus.

The Head of the Setia Kawan Farmers Group, Abdul Malik, acknowledged that the balanced fertilization pattern applied to the demonstration plot this time was very effective in encouraging increased production of corn kernel, supported by the excellent quality of Pupuk Kaltim's non-subsidized products. This program is considered to be a platform for farmers in Indonesia to maximize agricultural output.

"We hope that with the demonstration plot implemented by Pupuk Kaltim, the agricultural potential in the Nunukan Regency area can be more advanced in the future. Hopefully, this program can continue to be developed in the future," said Abdul Malik.

The Regent of Nunukan, Asmin Laura Hafid, appreciated the demonstration plot program implemented by Pupuk Kaltim as an effort to significantly boost the productivity of the community's corn farming. He said the demonstration plot harvest this time showed very satisfactory results, so that in the future the synergy that exists between the Nunukan Regency Government, Pupuk Kaltim, and farmer groups can continue to be developed for other types of commodities.

According to Asmin Laura, Nunukan Regency is one of the food storage areas in North Kalimantan, so agriculture is one of the important sectors that is of concern to the government in supporting regional growth and the economy.

"The Nunukan Regency Government really appreciates the increase in agricultural output through the Pupuk Kaltim demonstration plot, and hopes that the agricultural potential in Nunukan can continue to be improved. Likewise, Mansapa Village can become a pilot location for farmers in the surrounding area in the future," said Asmin Laura.