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| First UMM Organic Rice Harvest and Balinese Farmers (Photo: Rino Humas) |
The contribution of Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) to the agricultural aspect of Subak Bengkel, Tabanan, and Bali has brought good results. This can be seen from the first harvest of organic rice which is able to produce 9 to 12.5 tons per hectare on land processed with an organic system. The Head of the Tabanan Regency Agriculture Office I Made Subagia, UNESCO representatives, and Tabanan Regent Assistant for Economic and Development Affairs Gede Dalem Trisna Ngurah were also present at the first harvest.
A few months ago, a series of teams along with the UMM Rector and the local government planted organic rice. Then this month, the results of the planting can finally be harvested. This contribution and guidance is part of the UMM program called the “Profesor Penggerak Pembangunan Masyarakat (P3M)” or Professor of Community Development Drivers. Previously, the White Campus also successfully collaborated with various regions such as Bondowoso, Jember, and others. This is also UMM's effort to participate in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including conservating the Subak cultural heritage in Bali.
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UMM team leader Prof. Dr. Ir. Indah Prihartini, M.P. explained that the project and demonstration plot are located in nine points covering 6.5 hectares plus 1.6 hectares. There are two types of rice produced. First, healthy rice in which chemical fertilizers are reduced by 50 percent. The amount of the first product produced reaches 12.5 tons per hectare. Meanwhile, the second product is rice produced in a fully organic manner. This product can be produced as much as 9 tons per hectare.
"This figure is already good because the yield of organic planting usually decreases on the first try and only increases on the third or fourth try. While in Subak Bengkel the results are very satisfying with nine tons per hectare in the first planting," Indah said.
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She said that UMM does not only assist farmers in the cultivation process. However, how farmers produce input products such as organic solid and liquid fertilizers, biological pesticides, soil processing, water management and so on. According to her, this good result is proof of the neat cooperation between the Tabanan district government, farmers in Bengkel Village, and experts from UMM.
On the other hand, the Head of Tabanan Agriculture Office I Made Subagia said that this good result cannot be separated from a long process. Whether it's the institutional process, improving human resources, and others. This includes guidance and assistance from the agriculture office, the UMM White Campus team and UNESCO. So, organic rice with the name Asasta can be produced well.
Moreover, it is supported by the existence of reduce, reuse, and recycle-based waste processing center (PS3R) at the location. So, it is be able to independently produce and modify organic fertilizers that have content that suits the needs of farmers.
The same message was also conveyed by Bengkel Village Head I Nyoman Wahya Biantara. He appreciated the guidance and direction from UMM regarding organic farming in Bengkel Village. According to him, the results obtained are quite encouraging up to 9-12.5 tons per hectare. He admitted that there were several obstacles in the process, especially regarding changes in planting patterns and the prohibition of using chemicals.
"The hard work of all parties has paid off with this encouraging result. In the future, we can continue to improve the wheels of economic circulation even better. Starting from upstream to downstream," he concluded. (*wil/fajr)
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