Tabalong Develops SRI Paddy Cultivation

by Rusmanadi

Tanjung, South Kalimantan (Antaranews) - The Tabalong Food Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Agency (Distanakkan) began to develop rice cultivation method "system of rice intensification"  in the three subdistricts.

Head of Food Crops and Horticulture of the agency Syam`ani here on Thursday said the development of SRI method is expected to increase paddy productivity by up to two-fold.

"The development of SRI method carried out in three subdistricts, namely Banua Lawas of 60 hectares, 100 hectares in Muara Uya and Jaro 340 hectares as an effort to increase production and productivity of rice," said Syam`ani.

This method, he added, will improve the function of soil as a growing medium and plant nutrient sources that rice produced will be free of harmful chemicals.

Tabalong targeting production of 152,773 dried unhusked rice (GKG) and a productivity of 4.63 tonnes per hectare with rice planting targets both paddy fields and fields of 34,000 hectares, 500 hectares of corn and 500 hectares of soybeans.

To achieve the goal of food production, optimization of 500 hectares of land is carried out in four subdistricts namely Pugaan 50 hectares, 375 hectares in Banua Lawas, Muara Harus 25 hectares and 50 hectares in Muara Uya.

Including mentoring activities integrated cropping field school (SL-PTT) rice farmer group level of 18,000 hectares, both paddy fields and rice fields, he explained.

"Activity of rice SLPTT is divided into three types, ie the area of growth, development and stabilization spread in 12 subdistricts," said Syam`ani.