Meeting With Agricultural Experts, Moeldoko Help Find Solutions To Overcome The Food Crisis

Photo Dok KSP

JAKARTA - Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko received the arrival of agricultural expert from Padjadjaran University (UNPAD) Tualar Simarmata, Wednesday, July 20.

This meeting is to find solutions to overcome the threat of the world food crisis.

On that occasion, Tualar Simarmata who is also a Professor of the Faculty of Agriculture, UNPAD introduced the innovation of Technology-Based Controlled Aerobic Rice Intensification (IPAT BO).

He said, IPAT BO is an innovation in integrated rice production technology through restoration of the fertility of paddy fields using the twin seedling technique or also known as the jejer manten technique.

By utilizing this technology, he continued, it will reduce the use of seeds, save water use, and utilize organic-based fertilizers, namely using straw compost as a source of soil microbial nutrition.

"We have applied this technology in Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi Province, in collaboration with the TNI in its assistance, and succeeded in producing 11-13 tons per hectare," he said.

In response to this, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko expressed his appreciation for the innovation of Technology-Based Controlled Aerobic Rice Intensification (IPAT BO).

He also emphasized the importance of various breakthroughs and innovations in the agricultural technology sector, so as to optimize agricultural production results. Moreover, in facing the threat of a food crisis (food security) and realizing national food security and independence.

"What must be considered is how in the future agricultural activities can be carried out more easily, produce abundant production, and with low production costs for farmers," he said.

Moeldoko who is also the General Chair of HKTI said that currently the average rate of rice productivity has only reached 5-6 tons per hectare, and productivity needs to be increased to 7-8 tons per hectare.

For this reason, appropriate innovations are needed so that productivity in the agricultural sector can be further increased.

"The presence of innovations such as IPAT BO is very much needed and needs to be introduced more widely to our farmers. Initiatives like this need to be continued, so that we are able to have food sovereignty," said Moeldoko.