First Planting of Rice Plants Resulting from New Innovation at the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya.
Malang, Friday (8/09/2023) – Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya (FP-UB) recorded a new history in the world of agriculture with the first planting of rice plants using the latest innovation, namely “planting rice without flooding”. This activity began with a joint prayer and cutting of tumpeng as a sign of gratitude.
This research is the latest effort to test the combination of drip irrigation technology and mulch film application in lowland rice cultivation. With the latest technology from Borouge Ltd, it is hoped that lowland rice yields, which have been stagnant in the range of 6-7 tons/ha, can experience a significant increase.
Currently, the practice of planting lowland rice generally involves flooding the rice fields with water. However, this results in large irrigation water consumption. Ironically, waterlogging, which should aim to control weeds, can actually disrupt the root system of rice plants, inhibiting their growth.
The non-flooding rice cultivation system tested in this research uses irrigation water to maintain optimal soil conditions through the application of drip irrigation. Weed problems in rice are controlled by using mulch applications.
With a combination of drip irrigation technology and the application of mulch film, it is hoped that lowland rice cultivation can overcome weed problems and increase the efficiency of irrigation water use. This is very important considering that in the future it is predicted that there will be a water deficit in agriculture. For example, in Brantas River Watershed (DAS), around 70-80% of available water is used for irrigation. Therefore, increasing irrigation water efficiency is an urgent need. This technology is expected to be an important milestone in increasing irrigation water efficiency by up to 60-80% and increasing rice production by up to 20%.
This activity is an implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) among the Dean of FP-UB, Prof. Mangku Purnomo, S.P., M.Si, Ph.D., with Asia South, Borouge Ltd, PT. Kencana Tiara Gemilang (KTG), and PT. Narasing Hamurti Perkasa (NHP). This MoA is the result of intensive communication between Iva Dewi Lestariningsih, SP., M.Agr.Sc., as the representative of FP UB and Mrs. Rosa from Borouge Ltd.
This research was also accompanied by field practitioners, Dr. Vilas Tajane as Innovator from Borouge Ltd, and Ir. Wahyu from PT. NHP. The research team was led by Prof. Dr. Ir. Agus Suryanto, MS., with team member Prof. Dr. Ir. Sitawati, MS., Dr. Euis Elih Nurlaelih, S.P., M.Sc., Muhammad Akhid Syib’li, SP, MP., Ph.D., Dr. Wisynu Ari Gutama, SP., M.MA., Prof. Ir. Didik Suprayogo, MSc., Ph.D., Iva Dewi Lestariningsih, SP., M.Agr.Sc., Syamsul Arifin, S.P., M.Si., and Yulia Amirul Fata, S.T., M.Si. In this research, 6 undergraduate students were also involved as part of the final assignment as well as 4 field technicians from FP-UB. (*/WHY/UB PR/ Trans. Iir)
