KRI Songkhla Promotes Increased Cooperation between Indonesia and Thailand through Organic Fertilizer

JAKARTA - The Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia (KRI) Songkhla hopes that the interest of farmers in southern Thailand in using Indonesian-made fertilizers will be able to encourage increased cooperation with Indonesia and be beneficial to the people of both countries.

This was stated by the Indonesian Consul in Songkhla Winardi Hanafi Lucky, following the facilitation of the introduction of Bio Soltamax organic fertilizer produced by PT Solusi Tani Makmur (STM) which received a warm welcome and enthusiasm from farmers to government agencies in several provinces in southern Thailand.

In a series of activities held on December 16-19, this original Indonesian innovation fertilizer was introduced in Yala, Narathiwat, Satun and Trang provinces. This is in line with the Thai Government's program to advance environmentally friendly and sustainable plantations, as well as safe and healthy agricultural products for humans.

This innovation is very much in demand and anticipated by Thai farmers. Because, until now, some Thai farmers are still using chemical fertilizers and some others use a mixture of manure with volcanic soil.

Indonesian Consul Winardi Hanafi Lucky said that this fertilizer sector initiative received support from the Governor of Yala, the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) to the Yala Agriculture Committee.

"This cooperation is expected to benefit the people of the two countries, especially in improving the economy of farmers, as well as trade and investment cooperation between Indonesia and Thailand in the future," explained the Indonesian Consul in his statement, Sunday (22/12).

Organic fertilizer based on biotechnology or Indonesian artificial microbes introduced to southern Thailand works by optimizing the absorption of nutrients in the soil.

With its compact size and easy use, this Indonesian-made organic fertilizer is a unique attraction because it is more efficient than other organic fertilizers and can increase farmers' profit margins.

Farmers only need to use 30 grams of Bio Soltamax for 1 hectare of plantation land and can increase agricultural yields by around 20 percent to 40 percent.

For the initial stage, PT STM will conduct trials on rubber plants, oil palm, durian, corn, rice to vegetables and fruits.

After the trial and proof-of-concept period is completed, it will be followed by a distribution cooperation with local companies. Bio Soltamax itself has obtained organic certification from related institutions in Indonesia, the EU and the US.

Before in Thailand, Bio Soltamax which has been used in a number of countries, namely Cameroon, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, has managed to significantly increase agricultural production in these countries.

It is known that the southern region of Thailand is one of Thailand's agricultural bases. The area of agricultural land in the region is about 6.5 million hectares or about 40 percent of the total agricultural land in Thailand. The plantations are dominated by rubber, palm oil and durian plants as well as a small portion of land for horticulture, vegetables and other fruits.