Pesticide Demonstration Plots Lead to Satisfactory Harvests in South Sumatra Province

Agricultural consultant works together with farmer groups in Rajabasa Subdistrict carried out a biological pesticide demonstration plot activity. This is part of the agricultural consultant method used to convey agricultural consultant material to farmers, carried out on 21 hectares of land, with a 1-hectare demonstration plot. For example, the Melati Jaya III farmer group is conducting environmentally friendly cultivation activities on a 1-hectare plot. This group, originating from Banding Village, deliberately uses environmentally friendly materials, which are also supported by other parties, namely those with products bearing the Pesnab and Pestor trademarks.

The active ingredients in these products are not chemicals. In other words, the ingredients used are environmentally friendly pesticides and fungicides. Farmers in the group observed the growth of their crops from planting to harvest, and the rice yield was quite good. Based on observations, it is considered sufficient for controlling pest and disease development. “Because the agro-ecosystem on the land is quite good,” said Bakri, Chairman of the Melati Jaya III Farmers’ Group, to Radar Lamsel on Tuesday (July 13, 2021).

Besides the demonstration plot for eco-friendly pesticides, farmers also learn about observation on their land. This is because one of the functions of observation is to determine the population of pests on the plants. This allows farmers to make the right decisions when implementing pest control. “So farmers already know when to control pests on their plants,” said Syafruddin, an agricultural consultant in Lampung Province. Based on the plot, Syafruddin said, the harvest yield was 7.1 tons per hectare on the demonstration plot. When compared to non-demonstration plots, the results were quite significant.

Farmers get a yield of 5.3 tons per hectare on non-demonstration plots. That means there's a difference of 1.8 tons per hectare. “On non-demonstration plots, farmers usually spray chemical pesticides 5-8 times,” he said. Meanwhile, the application of natural pesticides using Pestor and Pesnab products is not yet widely available to farmers because these products are not yet available in the market, such as at kiosks or stores. However, the suppliers of these products can fulfill the farmers’ requests to order them. “We are ready to supply the products if there are farmers or farming groups in need of them,” said Ivan, Field Marketing Department of PT. Bio Sarana Indonesia.

Source: Radarlamsel