Senin, 29 Desember 2008
Selasa, 09 Desember 2008
Hybrid rice, comment to State Budget
Hybrid Rice, Indonesia
State Subsidising Corporates, mass-scaling to farmers with environment-friendly
Edited by Riza V. Tjahjadi
(..) di tengah situasi ekonomi dunia yang tidak menentu ini, sesungguhnya kita patut bersyukur, karena kondisi pangan negara kita relatif lebih baik dari banyak negara lain. Mungkin fakta ini belum banyak diketahui masyarakat. Oleh karena itu, pada kesempatan ini, saya ingin menyampaikan kepada Sidang Dewan yang terhormat, dan kepada
seluruh rakyat Indonesia, insya Allah, pada tahun ini kita
kembali mencapai swa sembada beras. Ini adalah untuk pertama kalinya sejak masa
Orde Baru, produksi beras nasional lebih tinggi daripada konsumsi beras kita.
Itulah sebabnya, juga untuk pertama kali sejak masa Orde Baru, harga beras di
dalam negeri lebih rendah daripada harga beras internasional... Pemerintah telah menetapkan bahwa stok beras nasional ditingkatkan hingga mencapai 3 juta ton, dari sebelumnya hanya
1 juta ton. Barulah setelah itu, kita berbicara tentang kemungkinan ekspor beras.
(..) in the current uncertainty of the world economic, actually we should make praise, because the country food condition relatively good compare to other countries. Maybe this fact is not much recognised by people at large. Therefore in this opportunity I want to address to honorable parliament members, and to all the people of Indonesia, Insya Allah (God will) this year we will reach again rice-self-sufficiency. This is the first time after the New Order era, national rice production higher than our rice consumption. That is why, for the first time since the New Order era, domestic rice price is lower than the international rice price... The government has set increasing target of national stockpile with around 3 million tons, which previously only 1 million tons. Afterward we deal toward our potency
for exporting rice.
(President of Republic Indonesia Dr. H. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono addressing a draft of the State Budget, 15 August 2008)
The government seriously striving to attain food self-sufficiency since 2005. Output resulted from implementation of various programs which funded from budget allocation of sub-function of Agriculture within the state budget in the last three years, are: (i) achievement of increase of average rice production with 1.5 per annum, even though in 2007 rice production increase to 4.7% or 57.07 million tons, above projection of target amounted 55.46 million tons; (ii) achievement to increase national production of maize with average 5.4 percent per annum (p.50)
Data above is higher than projection made as planned by the ministry of agriculture for 2005-2009 which set target rice production increase from 55.03 million tons in 2005 to 57.71 million tons in 2009 with average 1.21% per annum.
It worthy to note, the average of farm size only 0.09 hectare, and around 53% of household farming managed less than 0.5 hectare. Small scale farmer with less than 0.5 hectare has had increased, from 10.8 million households in1993 to 13.7 million households in 2003 (or 2.6 % per annum).
Census on Agriculture 2003 also revealed from total 24,868,675 households farming both in rural and urban areas there were 13,770,100 households who grows rice alone. Meanwhile the biggest number was farmers who cultivated rice in combination palawija (rice/ palawija) 18,258,858 households. Farmers cultivated Palawija alone, and horticulture, and small holding plantation was 10,858,258, and 8,457,228, and 6,943,183 households. Meanwhile farmers were cultivating forest trees totally 3,427,491 households (Tjahjadi, 3 Nov. 2005). Additionally, Ministry of Agriculture show (2005) from total 25.58 million household farming there were 18.12 households (70.84%) grow rice in 2003 (Table 1).
High yield seed varieties have contribute significantly to national rice production. In the last three years seeds subsidy tends increase within the state budget. Impact of seeds subsidy has shown in national rice production during 2007 totally amounted 57.07 million tons of unmilled rice, that was 2.59 million tons or 4.76% higher compare to 2006. If it converted, from umilled rice to milled rice around will around 63.2%, then, it was equivalent with 1.64 million tons milled rice. In sum, around 82% of totally target additional 2 million tons for national rice production for 2007 has been achieved. That was the highest achievement of rice production in the last 15 years (Apriantono, 21 Jan 2008: Raker dng DPR RI).
According Minister of Agriculture Anton Apriantono, from total seeds subsidy has been planted to 1.4 million hectares rice fields with average increase in productivity between 0.25 to 1 ton per hectares. That was contribution of the quality of high yielding varieties; but detail information on contribution from both inbred rice seeds and hubrid rice seed not available. Thus, seeds subsidy was estimated to reach 0.88 million tons unmilled rice or equivalent 553 thousand tons milled rice or 33% of total additional national production for 2007. Moreover, with additional productivity, if price of unmilled rice was Rp 2,500 per kg, therefore income of rice farmers increase, with rage, between Rp 625,000 and Rp2,500,000 per hectare (Apriantono, 21 Jan 2008: Raker dng DPR RI or Public hearing with MP; Note: 1US$-Rp9,200).
Until third week December 2007, according Apriantono, realisation of seeds subsidy distribution averagely reached 75%, included inbred rice 71%, hybrid rice 75%, hybrid maize 87%, composite-type maize 78%, and soybean seeds 63% (Table 2).
Macro target pursued by the government in 2009, includes (1) PDB of agriculture grow with around 4.6%, (2) labour absoption target to 44.2 million people or expected increase 0.8 million people, (3) malnutrition incident decrease with around 1.0%, (4) Term of trade of rice farmers expected between 115 and 120, and (5) trade balance sheet of agriculture will surplus around US $ 16.22 billion. In production side, for 2009 target covers (1) rice production reach between 63 and 64 million tons unmilled rice or increase 5.0% compare to 2008, (2) corn production reach 18 million tons or increase 10.0% compare to 2008, (3) soybean production 1,2 million tons or increase 30.0% compare to 2008, (4) canesugar production 3.3 million tons or increase 20.0% compare to 2008, also (5) meat cow production 411,000 tons or increase 10.0% compare to 2008. (Apriantono, 21 Jan 2008: Raker dng DPR RI or a public hearing with Commission IV on Agriculture and Fisheries of Parliament)
State seed subsidy
Until early 2005 seed subsidy indirectly allocated to farmers, as Riza V. Tjahjadi (14 Jan. 2005) revealed: the government has subsidized for seeds to producers amounted Rp 100 billion per annum. With this kind of subsidy farmers have right to buy seed with around Rp 500 cheaper than real price, as claimed by chair of the national seed board (also: Kompas, 20 July 2004; 1 US$ = Rp 9,020-Rp 9,128).
For illustration, the State Budget-Additional (APBN-Tambahan 2004) dated 18 October 2004 subsidy of rice seeds amounted 16,200 tons with value Rp 73,024,477,200.00 allocated to Perum Sang Hyang Seri (SHS), a state-own company. Meanwhile total seeds subsidy within APBN-Tambahan 2004 to PT SHS amounted Rp 99.890.760.000,00 included soybean 1.000 tons valued Rp 6,943,099,800.00, and corn 1.000 tons valued Rp19,923,183,000.00. This was shown in audit report carried out by Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan, BPK, or the Supreme Audit Agency examined implementation of public service obligation (PSO) to PT SHS as buffer stock of national seeds (BPK dated 7 July 2006)
On the other hand, Bambang Sayaka et all (2006) revealed application of certified seeds of rice, corn, and soybean was very low. In the last ten years (1996-2005), the average of certified seed only around 22.02% of total planted areas in Indonesia, although there were two provinces which reached above the general pictures; certified rice seeds in East Jawa reached 38% and in the last two years in South Sulawesi certified rice seeds reached 30% respectively.
Subsidised seeds, especially rice seeds as results of analysis on seed system of food commodity and main estate crops by Bambang Sayaka et all (2006) which produced by PT SHS and PT Pertani was not bring much benefit to farmers since the prices relatively the same with non0subsidy rice seeds. Moreover, hybrid rice seeds were not much available in the market since several characteristics of this seeds were not taken for granted by farmers. Such characteristics included susceptible to pests and diseases, highvariability of yields among region and seasons whilst potential yield was only 5.0% above inbred rice seeds. Besides price of hybrid rice seeds relatively expensive, around Rp 30,000 per kg as compare to Rp 6,000 kg for inbred variety (Table 3).
The state of Indonesia, in the last three years, has subsidising to hybrid rice seed companies – both seed producers and seed importer/ distributors. On the other hand seeds companies have been promoting two selling prices: a lower price to the state and a higher price – with average nine to ten times higher compare to selling prices of inbred rice seed varieties – to farmers.
Within the state budget, the state has been subsidising the seed companies with around one-tenth of total non-hybrid (or inbred) rice seeds; 1,700 tons compare to 16,300 tons, with totally 18,000 tons which distributed with no charge to rice farmers spread out the country.
Using linear analogy to the 2008’ state budget allocation for hybrid rice seeds with no trademark mentioned; it’s just hybrid rice seeds, meanwhile there are 31 hybrid rice seeds varieties released by the minister of agriculture between 2000 and 2007. It seem SHS or Perum Sang Hyang Seri, a state-own company have enjoyed the biggest income, also the largest coverage within 18 provinces, meaning SHS which developing two hybrid rice seeds – SL8 and SL 11 varieties - in cooperation with SL AgriTech of the Philippines has got much support by the state (the government and parliament). One thousand two hundred tons compare to five hundred tons subsidy allocated to PT Pertani. As a state-own company, too, PT Pertani is one of two
distribution agencies, not a seeds producer. This also mean, hybrid rice seed companies seem tightly competed as to get state subsidy, they are, as to mention few of total nine companies according the Indonesian Seed Association (Asbenindo, 2007), PT Sumber Alam Sutra, SAS of Group Artagraha, PT Bayer Indonesia, PT Dupont Indonesia, PT. Karya Niaga Beras Mandiri, all with only 7 provinces (Tjahjadi, 2008).
In fact, until 18 June 2008 realisation or implementation of BLBU only reach less than 20% of total value of BLBU, consisted of non-hybrid rice seeds only amounted 4.270 tons compare to total amount of subsidy allocation16.300 tons, hybrid rice seeds 181 tons compare to 1.700 tons, plus soybean seeds 3.322 tons compare to 4,436 tons, and hybrid corn seeds768 tons compare to 3,650 tons. Total amount disbursement was Rp 66 billions meanwhile total subsidy in the state budget for 2008 are Rp 389.64 billion.
According minister of agriculture Anton Apriantono in a public hearing with Commission IV of the parliament (18June 2008) disbursement of BLBU just began for second planting season (planting season within dry season) meanwhile the rest of BLBU will disbursed, at least November this year. Last year, 2007, implementation of BLBU reached 97% of total hybrid rice seeds allocation and 99% for non-hybrid rice seeds. During 2007 disbursement of hybrid rice seeds amounted 1,023 tons compare to total allocation 1,050 tons and non-hybrid rice seeds 5,961 tons compare to 6,000 tons, meanwhile disbursement for corn and soybean reached around 100%.
BLBU, however, is a part of overall seeds subsidy in the state budget. Total seeds subsidy for corn, rice and soybean amounted Rp 689.70 billion, consisted of Rp 110.01 billion as seeds subsidy, national stock seeds Rp 190.04 billion and BLBU Rp 389.64 billion (Antara, 18 June 2008; 1US$ = Rp 9,150 at money changer).
According a decree of minister of finance 30 October 2007 subsidy for seeds of corn both composite and hybrid type seeds, rice seeds and soybean seeds are benih sebar or extension seeds and/or benih pokok or stock seeds (Table 4).
In third quarter of 2008 the hybrid rice promoters may be grinning or a little smile since their competitors – with inbred rice seeds varieties - face serious situations. All newly inbred rice with yield almost equal with hybrid rice, totally three varieties, have been recognised as illegal since without certification been promoting to farmers with mass scale target. As to remember, two of three rice seed varieties are MSP and Super Toy HL2 promotes by two political camps: Megawati Soekarno Putri, and SBY, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono – both campaigning higher yield as much as claimed by hybrid rice promoters – all claim yields are above 12-14 tons dry grains per hectare. The rest of three inbred varieties, namely Padi Saputra with 9.76 tons dry grains per hectare is promoted by an agriculturist.
All three inbreed varieties, of course, are not included in the subsidised seed price. However, in some rice field areas, for example in East Jawa (not Java) farmers prefer MSP rice varieties than hybrid rice… but:, in general saying, competitors are lessen, in the eyes hybrid rice promoters, except competition among themselves, although most of them, in the last three years, have been enjoying “promotion” through “subsidy price rice seed scheme” within the state budget since 2006 till now. It worthy to note, hidden but strong in the competition among hybrid rice promoters are imported seeds from China and India – the so-called introduction – versus domestic seed breeding varieties.
Several agricultural officers from provincial administrations backed by farmers’ groups clearly stated to reject imported hybrid rice seeds except domestic-produced hybrid rice seeds. On the other hand one of new players in hybrid rice seeds marketing from China embracing army, at least, commander in chief army, included two regional military commanders as partner in field cultivation.
However, technically there are two important advantages gained by hybrid rice promoters the subsidised price of hybrid rice seeds. First, they are the real subsidised entity by the state within the State Budget. They are also the real free-rider in seed sales promotion and technological assessment of hybrid rice with sustainable-sound agriculture such as IPM (integrated pest management) or NPM, nitrogen management, or integrated crop farming or so through the so-called farmer’s field school.
Farmers’ Field School for hybrid rice
There are 31 varieties of hybrid rice released by the minister of agriculture between 2001 and 2007. Parent lines or restorer of those hybrid rice came from Balai Benih Padi or BB Padi= 2, China = 13, Philippines = 2, IRRI = 6, India = 3, and Japan = 5. Maturity days of these hybrid rice varieties range between 85-104 days, and 83-107 days, with parent from Japan for upland irrigated rice field, to 121 days with parent from China (for lowland irrigated rice field). Owner of hybrid rice varieties are the government and private companies. Balai Benih Padi or BB Padi in Sukamandi in West Jawa owned four hybrid rice varieties and the rest 29 varieties owned by private companies; 10 private companies of which one of them cooperate with a state-own company (Table 5).
It worthy to note most hybrid rice seeds imported from China carried out by PT Sumber Alam Sutera amounted 5.000 tons as said by Mufid Busairi, MP of Commission IV on Agriculture and Fisheries, from faction PKB said (Hotel Aryaduta 07 November 2007). He indicated two main concerns, as follows.
1. Commission IV on Agriculture and Fisheries of Parliament as well as MoA prefered domestic-based hybrid rice; no change for hybrid rice in general
2. Imported hybrid rice seed beyond authority of MoA, because this high profile trade politic between JK and TW. That’s why it seem the seed companies in the countries reluctant to file complaint to Komisi Pengawasan Persaingan Usaha, KPPU, or Commission for the Supervision of Business.
Budget allocation to ministry of agriculture, especially program to increase food security, as proposed in the draft of state budget for 2009, will be used to shoulder priority activities, includes (...)(vi) research and dissemination agriculture innovation (Primatani and Sekolah Lapang Pengelolaan Tanaman Terpadu/PTT) or farmers’ field school on integrated crop management amounted Rp 355.0 billion (...) Expected Output will include (...)(iv) rice seeds subsidy 25,000 tons of non-hybrid rice, 750 tons hybrid rice seeds, 1,125 tons hybrid corn seeds, 4,000 tons soybean seeds, horticultura seeds in 32 regions, coffee bean seeds 2,025 hectares, pepper seeds 710 hectares, tea seedlings 1.956 hectares and sugarcane nursery 1,130 hectares (p.88)
On program to increase welfare of the farmers, budget allocation will be directed to shoulders priority activities, include (...)(v) handling fire to lands estate plantation, other disturbing farm activities, with amount Rp13.9 billion. Expected: (…)(iii) 100,000 unit SL-PTT (Sekolah Lapangan Pengelolaan Tanaman dan Sumberdaya Terpadu or farmers’ field school on integrated crop management) organised for food crops with target 2 million hectares of non-hybrid rice, 50,000 hectares hybrid rice, 75,000 hectares of hybrid corn, and 100,000 hectares soybean, also 500 groups of SLPHT (Sekolah Lapangan Pengendalian Hama Terpadu or integrated pest management field school) for food crops (p. 89)
Observation & news clippings
One of example, one of relatively old released a hybrid rice seed varieties amounted 70 kgs been tested by the government within the implementation scheme of the subsidised price seed scheme of the 2008 State Budget, trough a farmer rice group (35 farmers as members) with SL or Sekolah Lapang (field school, popularly for IPM) in 5.0 hectares rice field in a west part of Yogyakarta, namely Samben in Argomulyo Village in Bantul Regency. Although by design this hybrid rice seed packaged with chemical inputs, when monitored by BioTani Indonesia and GRAIN on the first week of July 2008, seem work well – at least, no major pest destroying rice growing. Two pests, namely Green Planthooper and Green Loopers identified farmers’ group involved in the program as potential major pest that should seriously be considered.
However, farmers whenever they grow hybrid rice he/she should buy-and-buy seeds every time he plan to plan rice, meanwhile price are expensive, average 10 times higher compare to price of inbred rice varieties.
So, what are possibilities of the way out for farmers to gain better position?
It is a priority task by pro-farmers and pro-poor proponents.
03-August-2008 15:08
Sukoharjo farmers not interested to grow hybrid rice
(Petani Sukoharjo tak tertarik tanam padi hibrida)
Sukoharjo (Espos)—Farmers in Kabupaten (regent) Sukoharjo in Central Jawa say not interested to grow hybrid rice. They prefer to grow IR 64.
Head of Kebun Benih Padi Lawu I (Rice Seeds Nursery station Padi lawu I), Suwarto ST said to journalists in a village, namely di Desa Lawu Kecamatan Nguter Kabupaten Sukoharjo, Saturday (2/8), although Agriculture Agency at provincial administration has launched a hybrid rice, namely F1 HIPA6JT, which a specific-type of hybrid rice suitable for Central Jawa, in fact farmers not even to steal a look at it.
“Actually growing hybrid rice relativlely saying more profitable. In fact, not much farmers like it. Farmers prefer IR84 or Ciherang variety,” Suwarto said.
He said, hybrid rice variety has some advantages compare to inbred rice, that are more seedling and grains in panicle. Moreover, potential yield more promsing than inbred rice variety.
By: Mastris Radyamas- Solopos Online
---
Farmers experience, not clear how many planting season carried out.
”We applied organic fertilisers to hybrid rice. Harvested yield we get between 11 and 15 tons unhusk rice per hectare. Compare to chemical fertlisers, the result is one comparable to three,” said Sumarno, a farmer in Nguter Sukoharjo in Central Jawa, practicing an integrated farming (rice with cattle).
Earlier he explained for a hectare rice field needs 200 kilogram POPs, 60 liters PPC, and 6 liters liquid pesticide, with totally cost Rp 530.000
Unfortunately, although integrated farming (rice with cattle) has promising much profit, in fact, it also need relatively big working capital. Face the expensive prices to buy cattle constraining farmers to shift to such farming system.
Joko Warsito, a chair of a group of farmer, namely Gabungan Kelompok Tani Tani Jaya, in a village namely Desa Nguter, said to buy a cattle someone should pay around Rp 7 to Rp 8 million per head. Beside price of cattle feeding, esp. Soybean meal, also reletively expensive. (SON)
Note: POP = pupuk organik padat or solid or compact organic fertiliser, PPC = pupuk pelengkap cair or liquid supplement fertiliser.
Source : Kompas.com, Kamis, 26 Juni 2008
(see also: Asosiasi Pemerintah Kabupaten Seluruh Indonesia (APKASI)
Wisma Alia Lt. 4 Jl. MI Ridwan Rais 10-18 Jakarta Pusat 10110
Ph. (+62) 21 3867670, Fax (+62) 21 3867671 email: info@bkksi.or.id
--
Ngawi Farmers, East Jawa complaining hybrid rice seeds
Hundred farmers in Desa/Kecamatan Geneng, Kabupaten Ngawi, East Jawa, who aremembers of 10 farmer groups have complaint hybrid rice seeds of subsidised price seed scheme has in damaged condition caused by totor or cabuk (a kind of disease). In turn, dozen tons of hybrid rice seeds cannot be planted.
In a hamlet, Dusun Pilang Puyung 2, Desa Geneng, at leat, around 30 farmers returning hybrid rice they’d received to chair of Kelompok Tani Margo Tani.
"The seeds are in damaged condition containing totor. Farmers prefer to choose an inbred rice variety, namely Ciherang rather than hybrid rice, although hybrid rice which been distributed are high yield variety," said chair of Kelompok Tani Margo Tani Kaseri, yesterday.
Source: Media Indonesia Online, Selasa, 19 Agustus 2008 00:01 WIB
It should be noted, the word high yielded rice variety, now, shifted into hybrid rice variety. High yield variety of inbred rice varieties been eliminated.
Interesting phenomena the government through the state budget for 2008 began re-introduce organic fertilizer to farmers at large. Let’s see the years coming (Table 6).
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08Dec2008
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State Subsidising Corporates, mass-scaling to farmers with environment-friendly
Edited by Riza V. Tjahjadi
(..) di tengah situasi ekonomi dunia yang tidak menentu ini, sesungguhnya kita patut bersyukur, karena kondisi pangan negara kita relatif lebih baik dari banyak negara lain. Mungkin fakta ini belum banyak diketahui masyarakat. Oleh karena itu, pada kesempatan ini, saya ingin menyampaikan kepada Sidang Dewan yang terhormat, dan kepada
seluruh rakyat Indonesia, insya Allah, pada tahun ini kita
kembali mencapai swa sembada beras. Ini adalah untuk pertama kalinya sejak masa
Orde Baru, produksi beras nasional lebih tinggi daripada konsumsi beras kita.
Itulah sebabnya, juga untuk pertama kali sejak masa Orde Baru, harga beras di
dalam negeri lebih rendah daripada harga beras internasional... Pemerintah telah menetapkan bahwa stok beras nasional ditingkatkan hingga mencapai 3 juta ton, dari sebelumnya hanya
1 juta ton. Barulah setelah itu, kita berbicara tentang kemungkinan ekspor beras.
(..) in the current uncertainty of the world economic, actually we should make praise, because the country food condition relatively good compare to other countries. Maybe this fact is not much recognised by people at large. Therefore in this opportunity I want to address to honorable parliament members, and to all the people of Indonesia, Insya Allah (God will) this year we will reach again rice-self-sufficiency. This is the first time after the New Order era, national rice production higher than our rice consumption. That is why, for the first time since the New Order era, domestic rice price is lower than the international rice price... The government has set increasing target of national stockpile with around 3 million tons, which previously only 1 million tons. Afterward we deal toward our potency
for exporting rice.
(President of Republic Indonesia Dr. H. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono addressing a draft of the State Budget, 15 August 2008)
The government seriously striving to attain food self-sufficiency since 2005. Output resulted from implementation of various programs which funded from budget allocation of sub-function of Agriculture within the state budget in the last three years, are: (i) achievement of increase of average rice production with 1.5 per annum, even though in 2007 rice production increase to 4.7% or 57.07 million tons, above projection of target amounted 55.46 million tons; (ii) achievement to increase national production of maize with average 5.4 percent per annum (p.50)
Data above is higher than projection made as planned by the ministry of agriculture for 2005-2009 which set target rice production increase from 55.03 million tons in 2005 to 57.71 million tons in 2009 with average 1.21% per annum.
It worthy to note, the average of farm size only 0.09 hectare, and around 53% of household farming managed less than 0.5 hectare. Small scale farmer with less than 0.5 hectare has had increased, from 10.8 million households in1993 to 13.7 million households in 2003 (or 2.6 % per annum).
Census on Agriculture 2003 also revealed from total 24,868,675 households farming both in rural and urban areas there were 13,770,100 households who grows rice alone. Meanwhile the biggest number was farmers who cultivated rice in combination palawija (rice/ palawija) 18,258,858 households. Farmers cultivated Palawija alone, and horticulture, and small holding plantation was 10,858,258, and 8,457,228, and 6,943,183 households. Meanwhile farmers were cultivating forest trees totally 3,427,491 households (Tjahjadi, 3 Nov. 2005). Additionally, Ministry of Agriculture show (2005) from total 25.58 million household farming there were 18.12 households (70.84%) grow rice in 2003 (Table 1).
High yield seed varieties have contribute significantly to national rice production. In the last three years seeds subsidy tends increase within the state budget. Impact of seeds subsidy has shown in national rice production during 2007 totally amounted 57.07 million tons of unmilled rice, that was 2.59 million tons or 4.76% higher compare to 2006. If it converted, from umilled rice to milled rice around will around 63.2%, then, it was equivalent with 1.64 million tons milled rice. In sum, around 82% of totally target additional 2 million tons for national rice production for 2007 has been achieved. That was the highest achievement of rice production in the last 15 years (Apriantono, 21 Jan 2008: Raker dng DPR RI).
According Minister of Agriculture Anton Apriantono, from total seeds subsidy has been planted to 1.4 million hectares rice fields with average increase in productivity between 0.25 to 1 ton per hectares. That was contribution of the quality of high yielding varieties; but detail information on contribution from both inbred rice seeds and hubrid rice seed not available. Thus, seeds subsidy was estimated to reach 0.88 million tons unmilled rice or equivalent 553 thousand tons milled rice or 33% of total additional national production for 2007. Moreover, with additional productivity, if price of unmilled rice was Rp 2,500 per kg, therefore income of rice farmers increase, with rage, between Rp 625,000 and Rp2,500,000 per hectare (Apriantono, 21 Jan 2008: Raker dng DPR RI or Public hearing with MP; Note: 1US$-Rp9,200).
Until third week December 2007, according Apriantono, realisation of seeds subsidy distribution averagely reached 75%, included inbred rice 71%, hybrid rice 75%, hybrid maize 87%, composite-type maize 78%, and soybean seeds 63% (Table 2).
Macro target pursued by the government in 2009, includes (1) PDB of agriculture grow with around 4.6%, (2) labour absoption target to 44.2 million people or expected increase 0.8 million people, (3) malnutrition incident decrease with around 1.0%, (4) Term of trade of rice farmers expected between 115 and 120, and (5) trade balance sheet of agriculture will surplus around US $ 16.22 billion. In production side, for 2009 target covers (1) rice production reach between 63 and 64 million tons unmilled rice or increase 5.0% compare to 2008, (2) corn production reach 18 million tons or increase 10.0% compare to 2008, (3) soybean production 1,2 million tons or increase 30.0% compare to 2008, (4) canesugar production 3.3 million tons or increase 20.0% compare to 2008, also (5) meat cow production 411,000 tons or increase 10.0% compare to 2008. (Apriantono, 21 Jan 2008: Raker dng DPR RI or a public hearing with Commission IV on Agriculture and Fisheries of Parliament)
State seed subsidy
Until early 2005 seed subsidy indirectly allocated to farmers, as Riza V. Tjahjadi (14 Jan. 2005) revealed: the government has subsidized for seeds to producers amounted Rp 100 billion per annum. With this kind of subsidy farmers have right to buy seed with around Rp 500 cheaper than real price, as claimed by chair of the national seed board (also: Kompas, 20 July 2004; 1 US$ = Rp 9,020-Rp 9,128).
For illustration, the State Budget-Additional (APBN-Tambahan 2004) dated 18 October 2004 subsidy of rice seeds amounted 16,200 tons with value Rp 73,024,477,200.00 allocated to Perum Sang Hyang Seri (SHS), a state-own company. Meanwhile total seeds subsidy within APBN-Tambahan 2004 to PT SHS amounted Rp 99.890.760.000,00 included soybean 1.000 tons valued Rp 6,943,099,800.00, and corn 1.000 tons valued Rp19,923,183,000.00. This was shown in audit report carried out by Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan, BPK, or the Supreme Audit Agency examined implementation of public service obligation (PSO) to PT SHS as buffer stock of national seeds (BPK dated 7 July 2006)
On the other hand, Bambang Sayaka et all (2006) revealed application of certified seeds of rice, corn, and soybean was very low. In the last ten years (1996-2005), the average of certified seed only around 22.02% of total planted areas in Indonesia, although there were two provinces which reached above the general pictures; certified rice seeds in East Jawa reached 38% and in the last two years in South Sulawesi certified rice seeds reached 30% respectively.
Subsidised seeds, especially rice seeds as results of analysis on seed system of food commodity and main estate crops by Bambang Sayaka et all (2006) which produced by PT SHS and PT Pertani was not bring much benefit to farmers since the prices relatively the same with non0subsidy rice seeds. Moreover, hybrid rice seeds were not much available in the market since several characteristics of this seeds were not taken for granted by farmers. Such characteristics included susceptible to pests and diseases, highvariability of yields among region and seasons whilst potential yield was only 5.0% above inbred rice seeds. Besides price of hybrid rice seeds relatively expensive, around Rp 30,000 per kg as compare to Rp 6,000 kg for inbred variety (Table 3).
The state of Indonesia, in the last three years, has subsidising to hybrid rice seed companies – both seed producers and seed importer/ distributors. On the other hand seeds companies have been promoting two selling prices: a lower price to the state and a higher price – with average nine to ten times higher compare to selling prices of inbred rice seed varieties – to farmers.
Within the state budget, the state has been subsidising the seed companies with around one-tenth of total non-hybrid (or inbred) rice seeds; 1,700 tons compare to 16,300 tons, with totally 18,000 tons which distributed with no charge to rice farmers spread out the country.
Using linear analogy to the 2008’ state budget allocation for hybrid rice seeds with no trademark mentioned; it’s just hybrid rice seeds, meanwhile there are 31 hybrid rice seeds varieties released by the minister of agriculture between 2000 and 2007. It seem SHS or Perum Sang Hyang Seri, a state-own company have enjoyed the biggest income, also the largest coverage within 18 provinces, meaning SHS which developing two hybrid rice seeds – SL8 and SL 11 varieties - in cooperation with SL AgriTech of the Philippines has got much support by the state (the government and parliament). One thousand two hundred tons compare to five hundred tons subsidy allocated to PT Pertani. As a state-own company, too, PT Pertani is one of two
distribution agencies, not a seeds producer. This also mean, hybrid rice seed companies seem tightly competed as to get state subsidy, they are, as to mention few of total nine companies according the Indonesian Seed Association (Asbenindo, 2007), PT Sumber Alam Sutra, SAS of Group Artagraha, PT Bayer Indonesia, PT Dupont Indonesia, PT. Karya Niaga Beras Mandiri, all with only 7 provinces (Tjahjadi, 2008).
In fact, until 18 June 2008 realisation or implementation of BLBU only reach less than 20% of total value of BLBU, consisted of non-hybrid rice seeds only amounted 4.270 tons compare to total amount of subsidy allocation16.300 tons, hybrid rice seeds 181 tons compare to 1.700 tons, plus soybean seeds 3.322 tons compare to 4,436 tons, and hybrid corn seeds768 tons compare to 3,650 tons. Total amount disbursement was Rp 66 billions meanwhile total subsidy in the state budget for 2008 are Rp 389.64 billion.
According minister of agriculture Anton Apriantono in a public hearing with Commission IV of the parliament (18June 2008) disbursement of BLBU just began for second planting season (planting season within dry season) meanwhile the rest of BLBU will disbursed, at least November this year. Last year, 2007, implementation of BLBU reached 97% of total hybrid rice seeds allocation and 99% for non-hybrid rice seeds. During 2007 disbursement of hybrid rice seeds amounted 1,023 tons compare to total allocation 1,050 tons and non-hybrid rice seeds 5,961 tons compare to 6,000 tons, meanwhile disbursement for corn and soybean reached around 100%.
BLBU, however, is a part of overall seeds subsidy in the state budget. Total seeds subsidy for corn, rice and soybean amounted Rp 689.70 billion, consisted of Rp 110.01 billion as seeds subsidy, national stock seeds Rp 190.04 billion and BLBU Rp 389.64 billion (Antara, 18 June 2008; 1US$ = Rp 9,150 at money changer).
According a decree of minister of finance 30 October 2007 subsidy for seeds of corn both composite and hybrid type seeds, rice seeds and soybean seeds are benih sebar or extension seeds and/or benih pokok or stock seeds (Table 4).
In third quarter of 2008 the hybrid rice promoters may be grinning or a little smile since their competitors – with inbred rice seeds varieties - face serious situations. All newly inbred rice with yield almost equal with hybrid rice, totally three varieties, have been recognised as illegal since without certification been promoting to farmers with mass scale target. As to remember, two of three rice seed varieties are MSP and Super Toy HL2 promotes by two political camps: Megawati Soekarno Putri, and SBY, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono – both campaigning higher yield as much as claimed by hybrid rice promoters – all claim yields are above 12-14 tons dry grains per hectare. The rest of three inbred varieties, namely Padi Saputra with 9.76 tons dry grains per hectare is promoted by an agriculturist.
All three inbreed varieties, of course, are not included in the subsidised seed price. However, in some rice field areas, for example in East Jawa (not Java) farmers prefer MSP rice varieties than hybrid rice… but:, in general saying, competitors are lessen, in the eyes hybrid rice promoters, except competition among themselves, although most of them, in the last three years, have been enjoying “promotion” through “subsidy price rice seed scheme” within the state budget since 2006 till now. It worthy to note, hidden but strong in the competition among hybrid rice promoters are imported seeds from China and India – the so-called introduction – versus domestic seed breeding varieties.
Several agricultural officers from provincial administrations backed by farmers’ groups clearly stated to reject imported hybrid rice seeds except domestic-produced hybrid rice seeds. On the other hand one of new players in hybrid rice seeds marketing from China embracing army, at least, commander in chief army, included two regional military commanders as partner in field cultivation.
However, technically there are two important advantages gained by hybrid rice promoters the subsidised price of hybrid rice seeds. First, they are the real subsidised entity by the state within the State Budget. They are also the real free-rider in seed sales promotion and technological assessment of hybrid rice with sustainable-sound agriculture such as IPM (integrated pest management) or NPM, nitrogen management, or integrated crop farming or so through the so-called farmer’s field school.
Farmers’ Field School for hybrid rice
There are 31 varieties of hybrid rice released by the minister of agriculture between 2001 and 2007. Parent lines or restorer of those hybrid rice came from Balai Benih Padi or BB Padi= 2, China = 13, Philippines = 2, IRRI = 6, India = 3, and Japan = 5. Maturity days of these hybrid rice varieties range between 85-104 days, and 83-107 days, with parent from Japan for upland irrigated rice field, to 121 days with parent from China (for lowland irrigated rice field). Owner of hybrid rice varieties are the government and private companies. Balai Benih Padi or BB Padi in Sukamandi in West Jawa owned four hybrid rice varieties and the rest 29 varieties owned by private companies; 10 private companies of which one of them cooperate with a state-own company (Table 5).
It worthy to note most hybrid rice seeds imported from China carried out by PT Sumber Alam Sutera amounted 5.000 tons as said by Mufid Busairi, MP of Commission IV on Agriculture and Fisheries, from faction PKB said (Hotel Aryaduta 07 November 2007). He indicated two main concerns, as follows.
1. Commission IV on Agriculture and Fisheries of Parliament as well as MoA prefered domestic-based hybrid rice; no change for hybrid rice in general
2. Imported hybrid rice seed beyond authority of MoA, because this high profile trade politic between JK and TW. That’s why it seem the seed companies in the countries reluctant to file complaint to Komisi Pengawasan Persaingan Usaha, KPPU, or Commission for the Supervision of Business.
Budget allocation to ministry of agriculture, especially program to increase food security, as proposed in the draft of state budget for 2009, will be used to shoulder priority activities, includes (...)(vi) research and dissemination agriculture innovation (Primatani and Sekolah Lapang Pengelolaan Tanaman Terpadu/PTT) or farmers’ field school on integrated crop management amounted Rp 355.0 billion (...) Expected Output will include (...)(iv) rice seeds subsidy 25,000 tons of non-hybrid rice, 750 tons hybrid rice seeds, 1,125 tons hybrid corn seeds, 4,000 tons soybean seeds, horticultura seeds in 32 regions, coffee bean seeds 2,025 hectares, pepper seeds 710 hectares, tea seedlings 1.956 hectares and sugarcane nursery 1,130 hectares (p.88)
On program to increase welfare of the farmers, budget allocation will be directed to shoulders priority activities, include (...)(v) handling fire to lands estate plantation, other disturbing farm activities, with amount Rp13.9 billion. Expected: (…)(iii) 100,000 unit SL-PTT (Sekolah Lapangan Pengelolaan Tanaman dan Sumberdaya Terpadu or farmers’ field school on integrated crop management) organised for food crops with target 2 million hectares of non-hybrid rice, 50,000 hectares hybrid rice, 75,000 hectares of hybrid corn, and 100,000 hectares soybean, also 500 groups of SLPHT (Sekolah Lapangan Pengendalian Hama Terpadu or integrated pest management field school) for food crops (p. 89)
Observation & news clippings
One of example, one of relatively old released a hybrid rice seed varieties amounted 70 kgs been tested by the government within the implementation scheme of the subsidised price seed scheme of the 2008 State Budget, trough a farmer rice group (35 farmers as members) with SL or Sekolah Lapang (field school, popularly for IPM) in 5.0 hectares rice field in a west part of Yogyakarta, namely Samben in Argomulyo Village in Bantul Regency. Although by design this hybrid rice seed packaged with chemical inputs, when monitored by BioTani Indonesia and GRAIN on the first week of July 2008, seem work well – at least, no major pest destroying rice growing. Two pests, namely Green Planthooper and Green Loopers identified farmers’ group involved in the program as potential major pest that should seriously be considered.
However, farmers whenever they grow hybrid rice he/she should buy-and-buy seeds every time he plan to plan rice, meanwhile price are expensive, average 10 times higher compare to price of inbred rice varieties.
So, what are possibilities of the way out for farmers to gain better position?
It is a priority task by pro-farmers and pro-poor proponents.
03-August-2008 15:08
Sukoharjo farmers not interested to grow hybrid rice
(Petani Sukoharjo tak tertarik tanam padi hibrida)
Sukoharjo (Espos)—Farmers in Kabupaten (regent) Sukoharjo in Central Jawa say not interested to grow hybrid rice. They prefer to grow IR 64.
Head of Kebun Benih Padi Lawu I (Rice Seeds Nursery station Padi lawu I), Suwarto ST said to journalists in a village, namely di Desa Lawu Kecamatan Nguter Kabupaten Sukoharjo, Saturday (2/8), although Agriculture Agency at provincial administration has launched a hybrid rice, namely F1 HIPA6JT, which a specific-type of hybrid rice suitable for Central Jawa, in fact farmers not even to steal a look at it.
“Actually growing hybrid rice relativlely saying more profitable. In fact, not much farmers like it. Farmers prefer IR84 or Ciherang variety,” Suwarto said.
He said, hybrid rice variety has some advantages compare to inbred rice, that are more seedling and grains in panicle. Moreover, potential yield more promsing than inbred rice variety.
By: Mastris Radyamas- Solopos Online
---
Farmers experience, not clear how many planting season carried out.
”We applied organic fertilisers to hybrid rice. Harvested yield we get between 11 and 15 tons unhusk rice per hectare. Compare to chemical fertlisers, the result is one comparable to three,” said Sumarno, a farmer in Nguter Sukoharjo in Central Jawa, practicing an integrated farming (rice with cattle).
Earlier he explained for a hectare rice field needs 200 kilogram POPs, 60 liters PPC, and 6 liters liquid pesticide, with totally cost Rp 530.000
Unfortunately, although integrated farming (rice with cattle) has promising much profit, in fact, it also need relatively big working capital. Face the expensive prices to buy cattle constraining farmers to shift to such farming system.
Joko Warsito, a chair of a group of farmer, namely Gabungan Kelompok Tani Tani Jaya, in a village namely Desa Nguter, said to buy a cattle someone should pay around Rp 7 to Rp 8 million per head. Beside price of cattle feeding, esp. Soybean meal, also reletively expensive. (SON)
Note: POP = pupuk organik padat or solid or compact organic fertiliser, PPC = pupuk pelengkap cair or liquid supplement fertiliser.
Source : Kompas.com, Kamis, 26 Juni 2008
(see also: Asosiasi Pemerintah Kabupaten Seluruh Indonesia (APKASI)
Wisma Alia Lt. 4 Jl. MI Ridwan Rais 10-18 Jakarta Pusat 10110
Ph. (+62) 21 3867670, Fax (+62) 21 3867671 email: info@bkksi.or.id
--
Ngawi Farmers, East Jawa complaining hybrid rice seeds
Hundred farmers in Desa/Kecamatan Geneng, Kabupaten Ngawi, East Jawa, who aremembers of 10 farmer groups have complaint hybrid rice seeds of subsidised price seed scheme has in damaged condition caused by totor or cabuk (a kind of disease). In turn, dozen tons of hybrid rice seeds cannot be planted.
In a hamlet, Dusun Pilang Puyung 2, Desa Geneng, at leat, around 30 farmers returning hybrid rice they’d received to chair of Kelompok Tani Margo Tani.
"The seeds are in damaged condition containing totor. Farmers prefer to choose an inbred rice variety, namely Ciherang rather than hybrid rice, although hybrid rice which been distributed are high yield variety," said chair of Kelompok Tani Margo Tani Kaseri, yesterday.
Source: Media Indonesia Online, Selasa, 19 Agustus 2008 00:01 WIB
It should be noted, the word high yielded rice variety, now, shifted into hybrid rice variety. High yield variety of inbred rice varieties been eliminated.
Interesting phenomena the government through the state budget for 2008 began re-introduce organic fertilizer to farmers at large. Let’s see the years coming (Table 6).
«»«»«»«»«»
08Dec2008
- 000 -
Hybrid Rice, Indonesia
State Subsidising Corporates, mass-scaling to farmers with environment-friendly
Edited by Riza V. Tjahjadi
(..) di tengah situasi ekonomi dunia yang tidak menentu ini, sesungguhnya kita patut bersyukur, karena kondisi pangan negara kita relatif lebih baik dari banyak negara lain. Mungkin fakta ini belum banyak diketahui masyarakat. Oleh karena itu, pada kesempatan ini, saya ingin menyampaikan kepada Sidang Dewan yang terhormat, dan kepada
seluruh rakyat Indonesia, insya Allah, pada tahun ini kita
kembali mencapai swa sembada beras. Ini adalah untuk pertama kalinya sejak masa
Orde Baru, produksi beras nasional lebih tinggi daripada konsumsi beras kita.
Itulah sebabnya, juga untuk pertama kali sejak masa Orde Baru, harga beras di
dalam negeri lebih rendah daripada harga beras internasional... Pemerintah telah menetapkan bahwa stok beras nasional ditingkatkan hingga mencapai 3 juta ton, dari sebelumnya hanya
1 juta ton. Barulah setelah itu, kita berbicara tentang kemungkinan ekspor beras.
(..) in the current uncertainty of the world economic, actually we should make praise, because the country food condition relatively good compare to other countries. Maybe this fact is not much recognised by people at large. Therefore in this opportunity I want to address to honorable parliament members, and to all the people of Indonesia, Insya Allah (God will) this year we will reach again rice-self-sufficiency. This is the first time after the New Order era, national rice production higher than our rice consumption. That is why, for the first time since the New Order era, domestic rice price is lower than the international rice price... The government has set increasing target of national stockpile with around 3 million tons, which previously only 1 million tons. Afterward we deal toward our potency
for exporting rice.
(President of Republic Indonesia Dr. H. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono addressing a draft of the State Budget, 15 August 2008)
The government seriously striving to attain food self-sufficiency since 2005. Output resulted from implementation of various programs which funded from budget allocation of sub-function of Agriculture within the state budget in the last three years, are: (i) achievement of increase of average rice production with 1.5 per annum, even though in 2007 rice production increase to 4.7% or 57.07 million tons, above projection of target amounted 55.46 million tons; (ii) achievement to increase national production of maize with average 5.4 percent per annum (p.50)
Data above is higher than projection made as planned by the ministry of agriculture for 2005-2009 which set target rice production increase from 55.03 million tons in 2005 to 57.71 million tons in 2009 with average 1.21% per annum.
It worthy to note, the average of farm size only 0.09 hectare, and around 53% of household farming managed less than 0.5 hectare. Small scale farmer with less than 0.5 hectare has had increased, from 10.8 million households in1993 to 13.7 million households in 2003 (or 2.6 % per annum).
Census on Agriculture 2003 also revealed from total 24,868,675 households farming both in rural and urban areas there were 13,770,100 households who grows rice alone. Meanwhile the biggest number was farmers who cultivated rice in combination palawija (rice/ palawija) 18,258,858 households. Farmers cultivated Palawija alone, and horticulture, and small holding plantation was 10,858,258, and 8,457,228, and 6,943,183 households. Meanwhile farmers were cultivating forest trees totally 3,427,491 households (Tjahjadi, 3 Nov. 2005). Additionally, Ministry of Agriculture show (2005) from total 25.58 million household farming there were 18.12 households (70.84%) grow rice in 2003 (Table 1).
High yield seed varieties have contribute significantly to national rice production. In the last three years seeds subsidy tends increase within the state budget. Impact of seeds subsidy has shown in national rice production during 2007 totally amounted 57.07 million tons of unmilled rice, that was 2.59 million tons or 4.76% higher compare to 2006. If it converted, from umilled rice to milled rice around will around 63.2%, then, it was equivalent with 1.64 million tons milled rice. In sum, around 82% of totally target additional 2 million tons for national rice production for 2007 has been achieved. That was the highest achievement of rice production in the last 15 years (Apriantono, 21 Jan 2008: Raker dng DPR RI).
According Minister of Agriculture Anton Apriantono, from total seeds subsidy has been planted to 1.4 million hectares rice fields with average increase in productivity between 0.25 to 1 ton per hectares. That was contribution of the quality of high yielding varieties; but detail information on contribution from both inbred rice seeds and hubrid rice seed not available. Thus, seeds subsidy was estimated to reach 0.88 million tons unmilled rice or equivalent 553 thousand tons milled rice or 33% of total additional national production for 2007. Moreover, with additional productivity, if price of unmilled rice was Rp 2,500 per kg, therefore income of rice farmers increase, with rage, between Rp 625,000 and Rp2,500,000 per hectare (Apriantono, 21 Jan 2008: Raker dng DPR RI or Public hearing with MP; Note: 1US$-Rp9,200).
Until third week December 2007, according Apriantono, realisation of seeds subsidy distribution averagely reached 75%, included inbred rice 71%, hybrid rice 75%, hybrid maize 87%, composite-type maize 78%, and soybean seeds 63% (Table 2).
Macro target pursued by the government in 2009, includes (1) PDB of agriculture grow with around 4.6%, (2) labour absoption target to 44.2 million people or expected increase 0.8 million people, (3) malnutrition incident decrease with around 1.0%, (4) Term of trade of rice farmers expected between 115 and 120, and (5) trade balance sheet of agriculture will surplus around US $ 16.22 billion. In production side, for 2009 target covers (1) rice production reach between 63 and 64 million tons unmilled rice or increase 5.0% compare to 2008, (2) corn production reach 18 million tons or increase 10.0% compare to 2008, (3) soybean production 1,2 million tons or increase 30.0% compare to 2008, (4) canesugar production 3.3 million tons or increase 20.0% compare to 2008, also (5) meat cow production 411,000 tons or increase 10.0% compare to 2008. (Apriantono, 21 Jan 2008: Raker dng DPR RI or a public hearing with Commission IV on Agriculture and Fisheries of Parliament)
State seed subsidy
Until early 2005 seed subsidy indirectly allocated to farmers, as Riza V. Tjahjadi (14 Jan. 2005) revealed: the government has subsidized for seeds to producers amounted Rp 100 billion per annum. With this kind of subsidy farmers have right to buy seed with around Rp 500 cheaper than real price, as claimed by chair of the national seed board (also: Kompas, 20 July 2004; 1 US$ = Rp 9,020-Rp 9,128).
For illustration, the State Budget-Additional (APBN-Tambahan 2004) dated 18 October 2004 subsidy of rice seeds amounted 16,200 tons with value Rp 73,024,477,200.00 allocated to Perum Sang Hyang Seri (SHS), a state-own company. Meanwhile total seeds subsidy within APBN-Tambahan 2004 to PT SHS amounted Rp 99.890.760.000,00 included soybean 1.000 tons valued Rp 6,943,099,800.00, and corn 1.000 tons valued Rp19,923,183,000.00. This was shown in audit report carried out by Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan, BPK, or the Supreme Audit Agency examined implementation of public service obligation (PSO) to PT SHS as buffer stock of national seeds (BPK dated 7 July 2006)
On the other hand, Bambang Sayaka et all (2006) revealed application of certified seeds of rice, corn, and soybean was very low. In the last ten years (1996-2005), the average of certified seed only around 22.02% of total planted areas in Indonesia, although there were two provinces which reached above the general pictures; certified rice seeds in East Jawa reached 38% and in the last two years in South Sulawesi certified rice seeds reached 30% respectively.
Subsidised seeds, especially rice seeds as results of analysis on seed system of food commodity and main estate crops by Bambang Sayaka et all (2006) which produced by PT SHS and PT Pertani was not bring much benefit to farmers since the prices relatively the same with non0subsidy rice seeds. Moreover, hybrid rice seeds were not much available in the market since several characteristics of this seeds were not taken for granted by farmers. Such characteristics included susceptible to pests and diseases, highvariability of yields among region and seasons whilst potential yield was only 5.0% above inbred rice seeds. Besides price of hybrid rice seeds relatively expensive, around Rp 30,000 per kg as compare to Rp 6,000 kg for inbred variety (Table 3).
The state of Indonesia, in the last three years, has subsidising to hybrid rice seed companies – both seed producers and seed importer/ distributors. On the other hand seeds companies have been promoting two selling prices: a lower price to the state and a higher price – with average nine to ten times higher compare to selling prices of inbred rice seed varieties – to farmers.
Within the state budget, the state has been subsidising the seed companies with around one-tenth of total non-hybrid (or inbred) rice seeds; 1,700 tons compare to 16,300 tons, with totally 18,000 tons which distributed with no charge to rice farmers spread out the country.
Using linear analogy to the 2008’ state budget allocation for hybrid rice seeds with no trademark mentioned; it’s just hybrid rice seeds, meanwhile there are 31 hybrid rice seeds varieties released by the minister of agriculture between 2000 and 2007. It seem SHS or Perum Sang Hyang Seri, a state-own company have enjoyed the biggest income, also the largest coverage within 18 provinces, meaning SHS which developing two hybrid rice seeds – SL8 and SL 11 varieties - in cooperation with SL AgriTech of the Philippines has got much support by the state (the government and parliament). One thousand two hundred tons compare to five hundred tons subsidy allocated to PT Pertani. As a state-own company, too, PT Pertani is one of two distribution agencies, not a seeds producer. This also mean, hybrid rice seed companies seem tightly competed as to get state subsidy, they are, as to mention few of total nine companies according the Indonesian Seed Association (Asbenindo, 2007), PT Sumber Alam Sutra, SAS of Group Artagraha, PT Bayer Indonesia, PT Dupont Indonesia, PT. Karya Niaga Beras Mandiri, all with only 7 provinces (Tjahjadi, 2008).
In fact, until 18 June 2008 realisation or implementation of BLBU only reach less than 20% of total value of BLBU, consisted of non-hybrid rice seeds only amounted 4.270 tons compare to total amount of subsidy allocation16.300 tons, hybrid rice seeds 181 tons compare to 1.700 tons, plus soybean seeds 3.322 tons compare to 4,436 tons, and hybrid corn seeds768 tons compare to 3,650 tons. Total amount disbursement was Rp 66 billions meanwhile total subsidy in the state budget for 2008 are Rp 389.64 billion.
According minister of agriculture Anton Apriantono in a public hearing with Commission IV of the parliament (18June 2008) disbursement of BLBU just began for second planting season (planting season within dry season) meanwhile the rest of BLBU will disbursed, at least November this year. Last year, 2007, implementation of BLBU reached 97% of total hybrid rice seeds allocation and 99% for non-hybrid rice seeds. During 2007 disbursement of hybrid rice seeds amounted 1,023 tons compare to total allocation 1,050 tons and non-hybrid rice seeds 5,961 tons compare to 6,000 tons, meanwhile disbursement for corn and soybean reached around 100%.
BLBU, however, is a part of overall seeds subsidy in the state budget. Total seeds subsidy for corn, rice and soybean amounted Rp 689.70 billion, consisted of Rp 110.01 billion as seeds subsidy, national stock seeds Rp 190.04 billion and BLBU Rp 389.64 billion (Antara, 18 June 2008; 1US$ = Rp 9,150 at money changer).
According a decree of minister of finance 30 October 2007 subsidy for seeds of corn both composite and hybrid type seeds, rice seeds and soybean seeds are benih sebar or extension seeds and/or benih pokok or stock seeds (Table 4).
In third quarter of 2008 the hybrid rice promoters may be grinning or a little smile since their competitors – with inbred rice seeds varieties - face serious situations. All newly inbred rice with yield almost equal with hybrid rice, totally three varieties, have been recognised as illegal since without certification been promoting to farmers with mass scale target. As to remember, two of three rice seed varieties are MSP and Super Toy HL2 promotes by two political camps: Megawati Soekarno Putri, and SBY, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono – both campaigning higher yield as much as claimed by hybrid rice promoters – all claim yields are above 12-14 tons dry grains per hectare. The rest of three inbred varieties, namely Padi Saputra with 9.76 tons dry grains per hectare is promoted by an agriculturist.
All three inbreed varieties, of course, are not included in the subsidised seed price. However, in some rice field areas, for example in East Jawa (not Java) farmers prefer MSP rice varieties than hybrid rice… but:, in general saying, competitors are lessen, in the eyes hybrid rice promoters, except competition among themselves, although most of them, in the last three years, have been enjoying “promotion” through “subsidy price rice seed scheme” within the state budget since 2006 till now. It worthy to note, hidden but strong in the competition among hybrid rice promoters are imported seeds from China and India – the so-called introduction – versus domestic seed breeding varieties.
Several agricultural officers from provincial administrations backed by farmers’ groups clearly stated to reject imported hybrid rice seeds except domestic-produced hybrid rice seeds. On the other hand one of new players in hybrid rice seeds marketing from China embracing army, at least, commander in chief army, included two regional military commanders as partner in field cultivation.
However, technically there are two important advantages gained by hybrid rice promoters the subsidised price of hybrid rice seeds. First, they are the real subsidised entity by the state within the State Budget. They are also the real free-rider in seed sales promotion and technological assessment of hybrid rice with sustainable-sound agriculture such as IPM (integrated pest management) or NPM, nitrogen management, or integrated crop farming or so through the so-called farmer’s field school.
Farmers’ Field School for hybrid rice
There are 31 varieties of hybrid rice released by the minister of agriculture between 2001 and 2007. Parent lines or restorer of those hybrid rice came from Balai Benih Padi or BB Padi= 2, China = 13, Philippines = 2, IRRI = 6, India = 3, and Japan = 5. Maturity days of these hybrid rice varieties range between 85-104 days, and 83-107 days, with parent from Japan for upland irrigated rice field, to 121 days with parent from China (for lowland irrigated rice field). Owner of hybrid rice varieties are the government and private companies. Balai Benih Padi or BB Padi in Sukamandi in West Jawa owned four hybrid rice varieties and the rest 29 varieties owned by private companies; 10 private companies of which one of them cooperate with a state-own company (Table 5).
It worthy to note most hybrid rice seeds imported from China carried out by PT Sumber Alam Sutera amounted 5.000 tons as said by Mufid Busairi, MP of Commission IV on Agriculture and Fisheries, from faction PKB said (Hotel Aryaduta 07 November 2007). He indicated two main concerns, as follows.
1. Commission IV on Agriculture and Fisheries of Parliament as well as MoA prefered domestic-based hybrid rice; no change for hybrid rice in general
2. Imported hybrid rice seed beyond authority of MoA, because this high profile trade politic between JK and TW. That’s why it seem the seed companies in the countries reluctant to file complaint to Komisi Pengawasan Persaingan Usaha, KPPU, or Commission for the Supervision of Business.
Budget allocation to ministry of agriculture, especially program to increase food security, as proposed in the draft of state budget for 2009, will be used to shoulder priority activities, includes (...)(vi) research and dissemination agriculture innovation (Primatani and Sekolah Lapang Pengelolaan Tanaman Terpadu/PTT) or farmers’ field school on integrated crop management amounted Rp 355.0 billion (...) Expected Output will include (...)(iv) rice seeds subsidy 25,000 tons of non-hybrid rice, 750 tons hybrid rice seeds, 1,125 tons hybrid corn seeds, 4,000 tons soybean seeds, horticultura seeds in 32 regions, coffee bean seeds 2,025 hectares, pepper seeds 710 hectares, tea seedlings 1.956 hectares and sugarcane nursery 1,130 hectares (p.88)
On program to increase welfare of the farmers, budget allocation will be directed to shoulders priority activities, include (...)(v) handling fire to lands estate plantation, other disturbing farm activities, with amount Rp13.9 billion. Expected: (…)(iii) 100,000 unit SL-PTT (Sekolah Lapangan Pengelolaan Tanaman dan Sumberdaya Terpadu or farmers’ field school on integrated crop management) organised for food crops with target 2 million hectares of non-hybrid rice, 50,000 hectares hybrid rice, 75,000 hectares of hybrid corn, and 100,000 hectares soybean, also 500 groups of SLPHT (Sekolah Lapangan Pengendalian Hama Terpadu or integrated pest management field school) for food crops (p. 89)
Observation & news clippings
One of example, one of relatively old released a hybrid rice seed varieties amounted 70 kgs been tested by the government within the implementation scheme of the subsidised price seed scheme of the 2008 State Budget, trough a farmer rice group (35 farmers as members) with SL or Sekolah Lapang (field school, popularly for IPM) in 5.0 hectares rice field in a west part of Yogyakarta, namely Samben in Argomulyo Village in Bantul Regency. Although by design this hybrid rice seed packaged with chemical inputs, when monitored by BioTani Indonesia and GRAIN on the first week of July 2008, seem work well – at least, no major pest destroying rice growing. Two pests, namely Green Planthooper and Green Loopers identified farmers’ group involved in the program as potential major pest that should seriously be considered.
However, farmers whenever they grow hybrid rice he/she should buy-and-buy seeds every time he plan to plan rice, meanwhile price are expensive, average 10 times higher compare to price of inbred rice varieties.
So, what are possibilities of the way out for farmers to gain better position?
It is a priority task by pro-farmers and pro-poor proponents.
03-August-2008 15:08
Sukoharjo farmers not interested to grow hybrid rice
(Petani Sukoharjo tak tertarik tanam padi hibrida)
Sukoharjo (Espos)—Farmers in Kabupaten (regent) Sukoharjo in Central Jawa say not interested to grow hybrid rice. They prefer to grow IR 64.
Head of Kebun Benih Padi Lawu I (Rice Seeds Nursery station Padi lawu I), Suwarto ST said to journalists in a village, namely di Desa Lawu Kecamatan Nguter Kabupaten Sukoharjo, Saturday (2/8), although Agriculture Agency at provincial administration has launched a hybrid rice, namely F1 HIPA6JT, which a specific-type of hybrid rice suitable for Central Jawa, in fact farmers not even to steal a look at it.
“Actually growing hybrid rice relativlely saying more profitable. In fact, not much farmers like it. Farmers prefer IR84 or Ciherang variety,” Suwarto said.
He said, hybrid rice variety has some advantages compare to inbred rice, that are more seedling and grains in panicle. Moreover, potential yield more promsing than inbred rice variety.
By: Mastris Radyamas- Solopos Online
---
Farmers experience, not clear how many planting season carried out.
”We applied organic fertilisers to hybrid rice. Harvested yield we get between 11 and 15 tons unhusk rice per hectare. Compare to chemical fertlisers, the result is one comparable to three,” said Sumarno, a farmer in Nguter Sukoharjo in Central Jawa, practicing an integrated farming (rice with cattle).
Earlier he explained for a hectare rice field needs 200 kilogram POPs, 60 liters PPC, and 6 liters liquid pesticide, with totally cost Rp 530.000
Unfortunately, although integrated farming (rice with cattle) has promising much profit, in fact, it also need relatively big working capital. Face the expensive prices to buy cattle constraining farmers to shift to such farming system.
Joko Warsito, a chair of a group of farmer, namely Gabungan Kelompok Tani Tani Jaya, in a village namely Desa Nguter, said to buy a cattle someone should pay around Rp 7 to Rp 8 million per head. Beside price of cattle feeding, esp. Soybean meal, also reletively expensive. (SON)
Note: POP = pupuk organik padat or solid or compact organic fertiliser, PPC = pupuk pelengkap cair or liquid supplement fertiliser.
Source : Kompas.com, Kamis, 26 Juni 2008
(see also: Asosiasi Pemerintah Kabupaten Seluruh Indonesia (APKASI)
Wisma Alia Lt. 4 Jl. MI Ridwan Rais 10-18 Jakarta Pusat 10110
Ph. (+62) 21 3867670, Fax (+62) 21 3867671 email: info@bkksi.or.id
--
Ngawi Farmers, East Jawa complaining hybrid rice seeds
Hundred farmers in Desa/Kecamatan Geneng, Kabupaten Ngawi, East Jawa, who aremembers of 10 farmer groups have complaint hybrid rice seeds of subsidised price seed scheme has in damaged condition caused by totor or cabuk (a kind of disease). In turn, dozen tons of hybrid rice seeds cannot be planted.
In a hamlet, Dusun Pilang Puyung 2, Desa Geneng, at leat, around 30 farmers returning hybrid rice they’d received to chair of Kelompok Tani Margo Tani.
"The seeds are in damaged condition containing totor. Farmers prefer to choose an inbred rice variety, namely Ciherang rather than hybrid rice, although hybrid rice which been distributed are high yield variety," said chair of Kelompok Tani Margo Tani Kaseri, yesterday.
Source: Media Indonesia Online, Selasa, 19 Agustus 2008 00:01 WIB
It should be noted, the word high yielded rice variety, now, shifted into hybrid rice variety. High yield variety of inbred rice varieties been eliminated.
Interesting phenomena the government through the state budget for 2008 began re-introduce organic fertilizer to farmers at large. Let’s see the years coming (Table 6).
«»«»«»«»«»
08Dec2008
- 000 -
Biodynamic Farming, Red-n-White rice var, Klaten
Biodynamic Organic farming: Farmer' on-farm comparison between IR64 and Mentik Wangi Susu, 2 hectares sandy-mud soils in Klaten C, Jawa also Red-n-White rice variety re-cultivation for mass scaling seeds by BioTani & Bahari Indonesia (Jakarta),
and Cahaya Muda Indonesia (Klaten)
July 7 - December 4, 2008
Minggu, 07 Desember 2008
Kamis, 30 Oktober 2008
Farmers'Rights to Invention Hak Petani-vs- HaKI mypaper@15thINFID- Conference;
Farmers'Rights to Invention, Hak Petani-vs- HaKI mypaper@15thINFID- Conference
Dear all,
Greetings from BioTani & Bahari Indonesia
Kindly find and benefit it my paper
presented at
The 15th INFID (International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development)
"DYNAMICS OF DEMOCRACY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN INDONESIA: REFLECTION OF THE PRESENT AND LOOKING ONWARD TO THE FUTURE"
Tuesday 28 Oktober 2008 jam 14.30-16.30, Round Table 4
Hotel Millenium Sirih ( Rg. Irian), Jl. Fakhrudin 3 Jakarta Pusat
IV. Round Table # 4: Food Crisis and Indonesia's Future Food Self-sufficiency Policy
As a country where most of the population are working on agriculture, food crisis is like a contradiction in terminis for Indonesia. How could farmers have no or lack in food? But it has been real. What are the problems in food policy regarding with food production, distribution and external trade? What are the appropriate strategies for the future?
Resource Persons:
1. Prof.Dr. Tien R Muchtadi, Ms, Dept of Food Science & Technology Faculty of AgriTech of Bogor Agriculture Institute (IPB).
"Indonesia Food Policy: External Challenges and Opportunity"
2. Dr. Bustanul Arifin (INDEF Economist):
"New Challenges in Food Security"
The main question is whether the food policy in particular and agricultural policy in general on food security.
3. Fransiskus Welirang, MBA, General Manager of PT Indofood.
"Food Self-Sufficiency: the Role of Business Sector"
The speaker is requested to share business perspective for promoting food self-sufficiency. What can the business sector contribute and what are the main challenges and opportunities in the cooperation between the business sector and the farmers?
4. Riza T. Tjahjadi, Biotani Indonesia
"The Farmers' Rights to Invention: Intellectual Property Rights of Farmers"
The speaker will provide critical reflection of the violation of Intellectual Property Rights of Farmers, particularly related to the expropriation of local wisdom and local knowledge and the prohibition of innovation by the farmers.
You may read by send your request to me (e-dress below)
Kind rgds,
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><((((º>`•.¸¸•´´¯`¸><((((º>¸.
•´¯`•.¸. , ..><((((º>
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><((((º>`•.¸¸•´¯`•¸><((((º>
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Riza V. Tjahjadi
BioTani & Bahari Indonesia - NPWP 02.637.212.0017. 000
(Kepmen No. AHU-1716.AH. 01.02 Tahun 2008 tanggal 28 April 2008)
Jl. Jagakarsa Raya No. 3 RW 006 RT 02
Jakarta 12620 Indonesia
email: biotani@rad. net.id, biotani@gmail. com, biotani2004a@ yahoo.com
http://www.biotani. org
http://biotaniindon esia.blogspot. com/
Dear all,
Greetings from BioTani & Bahari Indonesia
Kindly find and benefit it my paper
presented at
The 15th INFID (International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development)
"DYNAMICS OF DEMOCRACY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN INDONESIA: REFLECTION OF THE PRESENT AND LOOKING ONWARD TO THE FUTURE"
Tuesday 28 Oktober 2008 jam 14.30-16.30, Round Table 4
Hotel Millenium Sirih ( Rg. Irian), Jl. Fakhrudin 3 Jakarta Pusat
IV. Round Table # 4: Food Crisis and Indonesia's Future Food Self-sufficiency Policy
As a country where most of the population are working on agriculture, food crisis is like a contradiction in terminis for Indonesia. How could farmers have no or lack in food? But it has been real. What are the problems in food policy regarding with food production, distribution and external trade? What are the appropriate strategies for the future?
Resource Persons:
1. Prof.Dr. Tien R Muchtadi, Ms, Dept of Food Science & Technology Faculty of AgriTech of Bogor Agriculture Institute (IPB).
"Indonesia Food Policy: External Challenges and Opportunity"
2. Dr. Bustanul Arifin (INDEF Economist):
"New Challenges in Food Security"
The main question is whether the food policy in particular and agricultural policy in general on food security.
3. Fransiskus Welirang, MBA, General Manager of PT Indofood.
"Food Self-Sufficiency: the Role of Business Sector"
The speaker is requested to share business perspective for promoting food self-sufficiency. What can the business sector contribute and what are the main challenges and opportunities in the cooperation between the business sector and the farmers?
4. Riza T. Tjahjadi, Biotani Indonesia
"The Farmers' Rights to Invention: Intellectual Property Rights of Farmers"
The speaker will provide critical reflection of the violation of Intellectual Property Rights of Farmers, particularly related to the expropriation of local wisdom and local knowledge and the prohibition of innovation by the farmers.
You may read by send your request to me (e-dress below)
Kind rgds,
`•...¸><((((º>¸.
><((((º>`•.¸¸•´´¯`¸><((((º>¸.
•´¯`•.¸. , ..><((((º>
.•´¯`•..
><((((º>`•.¸¸•´¯`•¸><((((º>
`•...¸><((((º>¸.
Riza V. Tjahjadi
BioTani & Bahari Indonesia - NPWP 02.637.212.0017. 000
(Kepmen No. AHU-1716.AH. 01.02 Tahun 2008 tanggal 28 April 2008)
Jl. Jagakarsa Raya No. 3 RW 006 RT 02
Jakarta 12620 Indonesia
email: biotani@rad. net.id, biotani@gmail. com, biotani2004a@ yahoo.com
http://www.biotani. org
http://biotaniindon esia.blogspot. com/
Rabu, 23 April 2008
Hybrid rice situationer in Indonesia by CNN Friday 26 April 2008
[Trade Watch] Hybrid rice situationer in Indonesia by CNN Friday 26 April 2008Wednesday, April 23, 2008 11:52 AM
From: "Tjahjadi riza"
To:
Cc: biotani@gmail.com
Message contains attachments
Riza-&-Kathy Quiano-CNN producerr23Aprile2008.jpg (323KB)
--- On Wed, 4/23/08, Riza V. Tjahjadi
From: Riza V. Tjahjadi biotani@rad. net.id
Subject: Hybrid rice situationer in Indonesia by CNN Friday 26 April 2008
To: biotani@gmail. com
Cc: biotani2004a@ yahoo.com
Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 9:40 AM
Dear All,
Greetings
Want to know Hybrid rice situationer in Indonesia?
if you subscribe CNN channel,then,
Watch out
CNN news story on Friday 25 April 2008
(according Kathy Quiano, a producer, CNN Indonesia office in my office today, 23 April 2008)
Riza V. Tjahjadi
BioTani & Bahari Indonesia Foundation
Jl. Persada Raya No. 1 Menteng Dalam
Jakarta 12870 IndonesiaTelp. +62-21-8296545
email: biotani@rad. net.id, biotani2004a@ yahoo.com
http://www.biotani. org
http://biotaniindon esia.blogspot. com/
reply to: biotani@gmail. com, biotani2004a@ yahoo.com
«»«»«»«»
Minggu, 13 April 2008
Victim of hybrid rice voiced by Kompas today
Victim of hybrid rice voiced by Kompas today
Resist..! against hybrid rice
Fatalist farmers or “que sierra-sierra” farmers’ shown their fate by experiencing similar result when they for second time growing hybrid rice seeds of Bernas Super variety in a hamlet namely Dusun Karang Duwet of a village, Desa Kebon Agung in the sub-regency Imogiri, south part of Yogyakarta. Bernas Super and Bernas varieties are – fast track - imported hybrid rice seeds from China: Sichuan Guohao Seed Company by Tommy Winata or TW, a business-tycoon back by the Vice President Mohammad Jusuf Kalla (JK)
As monitored by BioTani accompanied by journalists of Kompas daily newspaper week ago hybrid rice plant attacks by similar pest and not well growing. Supposed they will not reach good harvesting, if not fail completely, in coming weeks.
Kamadi with 40 members of his farmers’ group have asked advice to district agricultural office who distributed hybrid rice seeds free in charge, not able to indicate solution at all. Kamadi said hybrid rice attacked by sundep a pest like worm as reported in Kompas today (11 April 2008) as part of special section: Fokus.
That pest should be carefully identify, meanwhile Sundep or stemborer usually attack rice plant at vegetative stage.
October last year BioTani Indonesia identified similar hybrid rice variety grown in the same rice fields attacked by pests. Name of pest is Kepinding tanah, or kepinding batu, or lembing tanah or blackbug. The other one is hama putih palsu or leaffolder or leafroller. Leafroller attacked rice because the field always watering down by farmer. This condition suitable for leafroller.
As being known Desa Sumber Agung or Kebon Agung (according Kompas 11 April 2008) in the sub-regency Imogiri located relatively near cemetery of monarchy of Sultanate of Yogyakarta, it’s around 25 Kms south of city of Yogyakarta. Total area of rice field amounted 700 hectares cultivated with rice, corn, soybeans etc. There are five farmer groups but only one group received hybrid rice seeds with credit scheme; that was Ngupoyo Bogo which located in a hamlet, namely Dusun Karang Dhuwet with 44 persons was members, while average of cultivated rice field between 2,000 m2 and 3,000 m2. This group was chosen since they popularly known with good performance and once has had awarded a hand-tractor by the district-level agriculture office (see: Hybrid Rice in Indonesia, Too ambitious..! WRONG TRANSPLANTING METHOD/BioTaniInd/23Oct.2007; www.biotani.org).
Tony Septiawan, a coordinator of BioTani Foundation for Central Jawa and Yogyakarta region said these farmers is a portrait of farmers in general who easily dictated by irresponsible policies of the government; while promoting new projects overtime (Kompas, 11 April 2008).
”Ono dino bedo, ono sasi lan tahun bedo (every day is different as well every month and every year),” said Tony in his report to BioTani Indonesia last week, quoting the farmer saying as to reveal driven motives of Kamadi or popularly named Hardo and his group to grow again Bernas Super variety.
However Kompas dailynewspaper also reported a movement against propaganda on hybrid rice seeds by a rice farmer group, also, in Yogyakarta region. Panut, a leader Ngudi Rukun group of Ngestiharjo of Bantul administration told he and his group rejected Bernas variety when invited by sub-district level administration officers to a meeting, with tricky tactic. entitled Pembentukan Gapoktan, gabungan kelompok tani or forming association of groups of farmers, which at the end farmers persuaded to bring back hybrid rice seeds. It was last February. In contrast, he and his group growings a fragrant rice of local variety, namely Rojolele days afterwards that meeting (Kompas, 11 April 2009).
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><((((º>`•.¸¸•´¯`•¸><((((º>
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Riza V. Tjahjadi
BioTani & Bahari Indonesia Foundation
Jl. Persada Raya No. 1 Menteng Dalam
Jakarta 12870 Indonesia
Telp. +62-21-8296545
email: biotani@rad.net.id, biotani2004a@yahoo.com
http://www.biotani.org
http://biotaniindonesia.blogspot.com/
reply to: biotani@gmail.com, biotani2004a@yahoo.com
11 April 2008
«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»
Mereka yang Dibodohi dan yang Melawan
Jumat, 11 April 2008 00:44 WIB
Kamadi (64), petani tua dari Dusun Karang Duwet, Desa Kebon Agung, Kecamatan Imogiri, Kabupaten Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, ini ditipu. Namun, setelah gagal panen karena menanam padi hibrida dengan benih impor dari China, dia tetap menurut ketika untuk kedua kalinya dibujuk dinas pertanian setempat dan agen pengusaha untuk menanam benih yang sama. Kamadi pun terjerembap dalam lubang yang sama dua kali.
Sore itu kami dibawa Kamadi ke sawahnya. Padinya sudah berumur dua bulan. Mestinya tinggal satu bulan lagi panen. Namun, tanda-tanda gagal panen membayang. Tanaman padi Kamadi sebagian kerdil, sebagian kering kecoklatan. ”Sama dengan yang pertama, sepertinya akan gagal lagi,” keluh Kamadi, yang juga korban bencana gempa yang mengguncang Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta dua tahun lalu.
Rumah Kamadi hancur akibat gempa. Seorang kerabatnya meninggal. Hidup keluarga Kamadi dimulai dari titik nol. Saat itulah, sekitar Oktober 2007, staf dinas pertanian setempat yang bekerja sama dengan perusahaan pengimpor benih menawarkan benih padi hibrida kepada Kamadi, yang juga sesepuh Kelompok Tani Nyupoyo Buko.
Kamadi dan 40 anggota kelompok taninya—yang semuanya juga korban gempa—menanam benih bantuan itu di lahan seluas 6 hektar. Kamadi sendiri menanam benih itu di lahannya yang seluas 2.000 meter persegi. Untuk biaya membajak, menanam, memupuk, dan obat-obatan, Kamadi mengeluarkan uang lebih dari Rp 1 juta. Itu belum termasuk tenaganya sendiri yang tak dihitung.
”Uang itu hasil menjual sisa tabungan yang ada,” kata dia. Namun, jangankan menangguk untung. Kamadi yang terpuruk akibat bencana gempa makin terpuruk karena padinya gagal panen.
Semua padi yang ditanam kelompoknya juga hancur. Ada hama baru, seperti sundep, tetapi lebih ganas, yang menyerang padinya. ”Kalau dicabut, akar padi yang terserang penyakit itu seperti ada cacingnya. Kami sudah lapor ke dinas. Mereka hanya bisa ngurut dada, tapi ya tidak bisa berbuat banyak,” keluh Kamadi.
Kamadi, yang merasa ikut bertanggung jawab memperkenalkan bibit itu kepada kelompoknya, pusing tujuh keliling. Namun, dia terikat untuk kembali mencoba menanam benih hibrida sekali lagi. ”Saya takut kalau tidak nurut, kami hanya orang kecil,” kata dia.
Tony Septiawan, Koordinator Yayasan Bio Tani Wilayah Jawa Tengah dan Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, menceritakan, ”Saat bertemu dengan Kamadi setelah gagal panen bulan Desember lalu, dia stres berat. Bahkan, sempat mau bunuh diri. Herannya, dia tidak kapok, malah sekarang mencoba lagi benih hibrida lagi,” kata Tony
Menurut Tony, Kamadi adalah potret mayoritas petani Indonesia yang mudah dibodohi, sementara pemerintah tidak bertanggung jawab dan sering kali menjerumuskan petani dengan proyek-proyek baru.
Tak jarang, staf birokrasi pemerintahan justru bertindak sebagai semacam sales (tenaga pemasar) bagi produsen atau pedagang benih. Itu yang membuat para produsen atau pedagang benih hibrida tetap merajalela meski sudah membuat banyak petani merugi.
Yang melawan
Lain halnya dengan Panut (56). Ketua Kelompok Tani Ngudi Rukun di Kelurahan Ngesti Harjo, Kecamatan Kasian, Bantul, ini menolak tegas benih padi hibrida impor yang ditawarkan oleh pengusaha yang bersekutu dengan dinas pertanian setempat.
Pada Februari 2008 Panut diundang datang dalam acara pembentukan gabungan kelompok tani (gapoktan) di kantor kecamatan bersama sejumlah ketua kelompok tani lain. Namun, di sana kelompok tani itu justru diceramahi untuk menanam padi hibrida dengan benih impor dari China. ”Kami merasa ditipu. Undangan tidak sesuai dengan kenyataannya,” kata dia.
Bagi Panut, bibit padi hibrida yang ditawarkan tidak bisa diterima karena dia tak ingin menjadi kelinci percobaan. Harga bibit terlalu mahal, yaitu Rp 45.000 per kilogram. Rasa dan umur padi juga belum teruji. ”Kami juga takut adanya hama baru yang muncul dari benih impor ini,” kata Panut, yang lulusan sekolah teknik menengah ini.
Dan yang paling meresahkannya, bibit padi hibrida itu, menurut Panut, akan menyebabkan petani bergantung pada pihak luar. Panut memilih mengembangkan padi varietas lokal, seperti rojolele, yang bibitnya bisa dimuliakan sendiri.
Panut kini juga mengembangkan obat-obatan dengan bahan alami dan menggunakan pupuk kandang dan kompos untuk menggantikan pupuk urea. Pekarangan rumahnya dipenuhi tumbuhan yang bisa digunakan untuk mengusir hama padi, misalnya tanaman mindi untuk mengusir burung dan belalang.
Andai petani-petani Indonesia bisa meniru jejak Panut, berani melawan dan bersikap. Siapa mau memberdayakan petani dan bukannya membodohi mereka? (AIK/TAT)
http://www.kompas.com/kompascetak/read.php?cnt=.xml.2008.04.11.00444415&channel=2&mn=173&idx=173
Rabu, 30 Januari 2008
The Public Eye Award 2006, album NOMINATION, WEF Davos 2006
album
BioTani Indonesia Foundation among top ten of Positive Award
in
WEF 2006: Civil Society’s parallel events
during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos
(excerpt)
see, table
full information about
PUBLIC EYE AWARDS 2006
included
Overview of the nominated companies
www.publiceye.ch
BioTani Indonesia Foundation among top ten of Positive Award
in
WEF 2006: Civil Society’s parallel events
during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos
(excerpt)
see, table
full information about
PUBLIC EYE AWARDS 2006
included
Overview of the nominated companies
www.publiceye.ch
Selasa, 29 Januari 2008
Rice, Hybrid Rice, National Production
RI fails to reach additional rice production target, Agri-Revit in a hot seat, hybrid rice comes again?
Edited by: Riza V. Tjahjadi, BioTani Indonesia
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the country had failed to reach its target of increasing rice production by 2 million tons in 2007. "We were only able to increase our rice production by 1.64 million tons, short of the targeted of 2 million. There were various impediments including the failure of some provinces to reach targets," the President told the press Tuesday after a cabinet session at the Agriculture Ministry.
One of the obstacles faced was the fear of making procedural errors which delayed the distribution of seeds to farmers. "But if the bureaucrats had clear programs and there was no intention to misappropriate the available funds, there was no need for hesitation," he said. (the Jakarta Post online 22 Jan 2008)
That just wasn’t going to happen..!
More funds spent in the name of Agriculture Revitalisation”, ironically, more staple food problems face by most middle to poor people, included farmers and small scale food producers as well as street vendors/sellers.
While many cafes like Starbucks and coffee Bean – both uses Sumatran and Jawa Arabica coffee - are enjoying an ever-increasing number of clients, paradoxically, Indonesia coffee production on a decline, apparently coffee farmers and exporters missing the high price momentum.
Coffee exporters (more than 350 groups) struggling to procure more coffee from Indonesia with international demand outweighing supply. The prices are good, but exporters can’t get enough, so they can’t sell much,” said executive secretary of the Association of Indonesian Coffee Exporters (JP, 21 Jan 2008). The main reason was production decline (18.1%) meanwhile domestic consumption increase. This situation predicted imported coffee will increase, most from Vietnam – “a country as student” of the Indonesian coffee growers around 13-14 years ago
Another tragic, if not tragedy, prices of soybeans, wheat flour, cocking oils, and kerosene scarcity hampering Indonesians since end of 2007. Small-scale producers of tempe and tahu (tempeh and tofu, foreigners name it) stop working for three days as boycott and make street rally protest to the President Palace. Even though Slamet, a street vendor for some fried foods made of soybean, banana, and cassava, has committed suicide, by hanging himself at his house, in Cidemang Village of Pandeglang Regency on 15 January 2008. His wife disclosed her husband deeply stress to situations: scarcity of kerosene, skyrocketing prices of soybean, wheat flour, cassava flour, tahu, tempe and cocking oil (Kompas 16 Jan 2008).
Back a decade ago, Indonesia enjoyed a high soybean output prior to the financial crisis of late 1997, when the country managed to at least balance the demand and supply of the commodity. However, after bowing to pressures from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, who demanded the country open up its trade sector in exchange for a huge financial bailout, local soybean production began to decline.
Following the assistance, cheaper or even underpriced soybeans from the U.S. began flooding the domestic market, trapping the nation from reaching the self-sufficiency long dreamed of by Yudhoyono. Vice President Jusuf Kalla threw in the towel even before putting up a fight, acknowledging it would be too much of a daunting task to boost local soybean production, as it would require huge incentives. "Farmers are only able to net a Rp 3.5-million profit per hectare of soybeans, whereas with corn they can net Rp 8 million. So it is difficult to increase the production of soybeans at home," he said Tuesday. (1US$ = Rp9.400)
Minister for Agriculture Anton Apriantono seemed to have no initiative at all in taking immediate action to address the problem faced by existing soybean farmers. The minister turned a blind eye toward the demands of a group of soybean farmers from East Java and the local administration back in June last year, when they complained of limited farmland and a lack of incentives. One of his staff members even commented that Anton preferred to help a group of farmers linked to his Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) over others (JP, 17 Jan 2008) – the general election will be in 2009.
Hybrid Rice, subsidy, tax exempt and ITK just instrument
As widely known, at the start of his presidential term four years ago, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono promised to put the agriculture sector at the top of his agenda with the aim of reaching self-sufficiency in producing strategic commodities.
A ceremony costing US$50,000 was even held in mid-2005 to promote his administration's seriousness to revitalize the sector, which is the income backbone for more than 70 million people living in rural areas around the country.
The state budget for agriculture, namely agriculture revitalisation, for 2007 fiscal year amounted Rp 8.2 trillions meanwhile the budget has allocated subsidy for high yield rice seed varieties amounted Rp 1.2 trillions (August 2007, 1 US$ = Rp 9.100) in pursuing additional target 2 million tons of milled-rice. A year before subsidy for rice seeds amounted Rp 80.9 millions. Total paddy production for 2007 targeted with amount 51.18 million tons meanwhile subsidy to imported hybrid rice seeds around 50% from total demand of hybrid rice seeds at amount 5,000 tons.
Moreover, massive imported hybrid rice has occurred according Prof. Bungaran Saragih, ex minister of agriculture due to such subsidy allocation. He added, such subsidy has also triggering an instant-type seed importer companies (Tani Merdeka, August 2007). More closer, according the director general food crops of ministry of agriculture Sutarto Alimoesa imported hybrid rice seeds was tax-exemption. According the chair of Asbenindo, the Indonesian seeds producers association, Elda Adiningrat, imported hybrid rice seeds only around 1,000 tons to 1,200 tons from China, India and the Philippines. Further she predicted total production of domestic hybrid rice seeds reached 3,000 tons to 4,000 tons.
Hybrid rice seed importer companies as far are: PT Sang Hyang Seri, PT Duppont, PT Sumber Alam Sutra, PT Triusaha Saritani, and PT Tri Bangun Pusaka.
Annual demand on rice seeds amounted 350,000 tons, meanwhile available supply only 120,000 tons came from the state-own company 100,000 tons, and private companies 20,000 tons. The rest of 230,000 tons produce by rice farmers – non-label rice seeds, as claimed by Soetarto Alimoeso, director general food crops of ministry of agriculture (Tani Merdeka, August 2007). This segment is market opportunity for marketing hybrid rice seeds meanwhile the ministry of agriculture has allocated 800,000 hectares for hybrid rice in 2007.
The minister of agriculture has released around 31 hybrid rice varieties: 6 varieties produced by the Indonesians rice breeders and the rest were an introduction-type of rice varieties (imported from other countries) in the least few years. According Ahmad Suryana, head of Badan Litbang Departemen Pertanian or the Agency for Agriculture Research and Development MoA in the last five years the Indonesian rice breeders have produced about 20 new rice varieties both hybrid rice and non-hybrid rice. However, last year plant breeders face serious problems when the state budget reduced allocation for travel in agriculture. The spearhead of research in agri-sector has no able to develop research optimally to produce high yielded crop varieties.
According the head of the agency for agriculture research and development (AARD) of Ministry of Agriculture, Ahmad Suryana on Sunday (09/12/2007) in Bogor, the reduction budget allocation for travel which reached around 70 percent since August 2007-12-10 impacted to crop multi-location trials. “Crop multi-location trials are very important as to gain yield stability and characteristic which claimed of a crop variety developed, because a crop variety is not developed for one region but to all region in Indonesia,” he said.
Budget allocation for agri-R&D amounted Rp 650 millions for 2007. According him, every crop variety should carry out multi-location trial in 20 different locations to represent Indonesia in two different seasons (rain and dry seasons) before a crop variety released commercially.
Mufid Busairi, a member of Commission on Agri and Fisheries in the parliament, from faction PKB, Nation Awakening Party, said in Hotel Aryaduta, 7 November 2007, subsidy to rice seeds for 2007 amounted Rp 1.2 trillions DPR or law makers supporting policy ministry of agriculture which preferred domestic-based hybrid rice;. Meaning DPR has approved the government’s policy for hybrid rice. Imported hybrid rice seed beyond authority of MoA, because this was high profile trade politic between JK (Vice President) and TW, a business tycoon (see, also: Tommy Winata with rice seeds will stop imported rice for Indonesians? Riza V. Tjahjadi, BioTani Indonesia Foundation. Jakarta, 12 September 2007; Kalla backs hybrid rice to increase food stock, the Jakarta Post 18 Oct. 2007; Hybrid Rice in Indonesia, Too ambitious with the Golden Boy..! BioTani Indonesia. Jakarta 25 Oct. 2007)
Be wary promote ITK; it’s neutral without clear ideology
Indigenous Technology and Knowledge or sustainable agriculture is merely instrument
When dealing seeds planting. This may be become misleading if someone, SA, SRI or organic farming campaigner(s), merely depends and heavily promoting on planting system which, later perceived by researchers and seed companies as neutral technology for growing whatever rice seed varieties.
In the Pedoman Umum Budidaya Padi Hibrida or General Guideline Planting Hybrid Rice issued by Badan Litbang Departemen Pertanian (the Agency for Agriculture Reseach and Development) March 2007 follows prinsip Pendekatan Pengelolaan Tanaman Terpadi Padi Sawah or integrated crop management for sawah paddy approach principles. In brief, suggested technology component with PTT for hybrid rice cultivation.
1. Using high yielded rice varieties and/or high economic value.
2. Using certified seeds with high quality seedling.
3. Using balance fertiliser with site specific consideration.
4. Using organic compost materials and/or animal manure as fertiliser and soil restorer.
5. Seeds management and healthy rice crop.
o Planting arrangement with “sistem legowo”, “tegel”, or direct seedling with maintaining minimum population.
o Using seed with characters high viability (“daya tumbuh tinggi”), relatively quick and grow simultaneously which resulted from separation of good quality rice seeds (pursuing the grain is fully compact).
o Transplanting young seedlings with limited amount, and put it between 1 and 3 seedlings per hole.
o Arranging irrigation with interval, and drying with interval, and
o Weed management.
6. Pest and disease management with integrated approach.
7. Using mechanical paddy thresher.
Moreover, hybrid rice cultivation also suggested can apply “model tegel” (20 x 20 cm, 22 x 22 cm or 25 x 25 cm). “Model Legowo” 2:1, 3:1 or 4:1 with space 12,5 cm within row and 25 cm inter row. All two planting methods relate to crop population with a hectare of sawah (Table 1).
Table 1. Rice Crop Population within a hectares rice field
No Planting Method Population per Ha % to Population with Model Tegel
1 Tegel (a floor tile) 20 x 20 cm 250 000 100
2 Tegel 22 x 22 cm 206 611 >100
3 Tegel 25 x 25 cm 160 000 <100
4 Legowo 2: 1 (10 x 20 cm) 333 333 133
5 Legowo 3: 1 (10 x 20 cm) 375 000 150
6 Legowo 4 : 1 (10 x 20 cm) 400 000 160
7 Legowo 2 : 1 (12,5 x 25 cm) 213 000 133
8 Legowo 3 : 1 (12,5 x 25 cm) 240 000 150
9 Legowo 4 : 1 (12,5 x 25 cm) 256 000 160
Note: by RVT
Tegel = literary, a floor tile, symmetric planting system (tegel). Wider space among rows facilitates faster growing of seedling.
Legowo = feel relieved or space; this model traditionally practices mostly by farmers in Central Jawa, using plant spacing.
Table above shows “model legowo” with similar spacing has higher population 33-60% compare to “model tegel”, in turn, harvested grains expected have higher amount. Experienced using “model legowo” planting system in various parts of Jawa (West, Central and East Jawa) shows increasing harvested seeds at around 6-26.6% or 0.4 – 1.6 ton/ha compare to “model tegel” planting system. Badan Litbang Deptan (AARD MoA) resumed, at least, seven advantages by using “model legowo” to hybrid rice seeds, three examples: higher production, and border effect of “model legowo” sound working effectively, and rat infestation at lower rate.
Although last year, hybrid rice not successful contributing to national rice production, mostly hampered by prolong drought and distribution problems, but who knows for this year. Who knows whenever agri-researchers and/or farmers use System of Rice Intensification (SRI) for hybrid rice mass cultivation? It’s a mater of time.
Jakarta, 23 January 2008
About SRI in Indonesia; just two examples:
http://ciifad.cornell.edu/SRI/countries/indonesia/index.html
http://www.rotaryubud.org/projects/susAg-project.htm
Edited by: Riza V. Tjahjadi, BioTani Indonesia
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the country had failed to reach its target of increasing rice production by 2 million tons in 2007. "We were only able to increase our rice production by 1.64 million tons, short of the targeted of 2 million. There were various impediments including the failure of some provinces to reach targets," the President told the press Tuesday after a cabinet session at the Agriculture Ministry.
One of the obstacles faced was the fear of making procedural errors which delayed the distribution of seeds to farmers. "But if the bureaucrats had clear programs and there was no intention to misappropriate the available funds, there was no need for hesitation," he said. (the Jakarta Post online 22 Jan 2008)
That just wasn’t going to happen..!
More funds spent in the name of Agriculture Revitalisation”, ironically, more staple food problems face by most middle to poor people, included farmers and small scale food producers as well as street vendors/sellers.
While many cafes like Starbucks and coffee Bean – both uses Sumatran and Jawa Arabica coffee - are enjoying an ever-increasing number of clients, paradoxically, Indonesia coffee production on a decline, apparently coffee farmers and exporters missing the high price momentum.
Coffee exporters (more than 350 groups) struggling to procure more coffee from Indonesia with international demand outweighing supply. The prices are good, but exporters can’t get enough, so they can’t sell much,” said executive secretary of the Association of Indonesian Coffee Exporters (JP, 21 Jan 2008). The main reason was production decline (18.1%) meanwhile domestic consumption increase. This situation predicted imported coffee will increase, most from Vietnam – “a country as student” of the Indonesian coffee growers around 13-14 years ago
Another tragic, if not tragedy, prices of soybeans, wheat flour, cocking oils, and kerosene scarcity hampering Indonesians since end of 2007. Small-scale producers of tempe and tahu (tempeh and tofu, foreigners name it) stop working for three days as boycott and make street rally protest to the President Palace. Even though Slamet, a street vendor for some fried foods made of soybean, banana, and cassava, has committed suicide, by hanging himself at his house, in Cidemang Village of Pandeglang Regency on 15 January 2008. His wife disclosed her husband deeply stress to situations: scarcity of kerosene, skyrocketing prices of soybean, wheat flour, cassava flour, tahu, tempe and cocking oil (Kompas 16 Jan 2008).
Back a decade ago, Indonesia enjoyed a high soybean output prior to the financial crisis of late 1997, when the country managed to at least balance the demand and supply of the commodity. However, after bowing to pressures from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, who demanded the country open up its trade sector in exchange for a huge financial bailout, local soybean production began to decline.
Following the assistance, cheaper or even underpriced soybeans from the U.S. began flooding the domestic market, trapping the nation from reaching the self-sufficiency long dreamed of by Yudhoyono. Vice President Jusuf Kalla threw in the towel even before putting up a fight, acknowledging it would be too much of a daunting task to boost local soybean production, as it would require huge incentives. "Farmers are only able to net a Rp 3.5-million profit per hectare of soybeans, whereas with corn they can net Rp 8 million. So it is difficult to increase the production of soybeans at home," he said Tuesday. (1US$ = Rp9.400)
Minister for Agriculture Anton Apriantono seemed to have no initiative at all in taking immediate action to address the problem faced by existing soybean farmers. The minister turned a blind eye toward the demands of a group of soybean farmers from East Java and the local administration back in June last year, when they complained of limited farmland and a lack of incentives. One of his staff members even commented that Anton preferred to help a group of farmers linked to his Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) over others (JP, 17 Jan 2008) – the general election will be in 2009.
Hybrid Rice, subsidy, tax exempt and ITK just instrument
As widely known, at the start of his presidential term four years ago, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono promised to put the agriculture sector at the top of his agenda with the aim of reaching self-sufficiency in producing strategic commodities.
A ceremony costing US$50,000 was even held in mid-2005 to promote his administration's seriousness to revitalize the sector, which is the income backbone for more than 70 million people living in rural areas around the country.
The state budget for agriculture, namely agriculture revitalisation, for 2007 fiscal year amounted Rp 8.2 trillions meanwhile the budget has allocated subsidy for high yield rice seed varieties amounted Rp 1.2 trillions (August 2007, 1 US$ = Rp 9.100) in pursuing additional target 2 million tons of milled-rice. A year before subsidy for rice seeds amounted Rp 80.9 millions. Total paddy production for 2007 targeted with amount 51.18 million tons meanwhile subsidy to imported hybrid rice seeds around 50% from total demand of hybrid rice seeds at amount 5,000 tons.
Moreover, massive imported hybrid rice has occurred according Prof. Bungaran Saragih, ex minister of agriculture due to such subsidy allocation. He added, such subsidy has also triggering an instant-type seed importer companies (Tani Merdeka, August 2007). More closer, according the director general food crops of ministry of agriculture Sutarto Alimoesa imported hybrid rice seeds was tax-exemption. According the chair of Asbenindo, the Indonesian seeds producers association, Elda Adiningrat, imported hybrid rice seeds only around 1,000 tons to 1,200 tons from China, India and the Philippines. Further she predicted total production of domestic hybrid rice seeds reached 3,000 tons to 4,000 tons.
Hybrid rice seed importer companies as far are: PT Sang Hyang Seri, PT Duppont, PT Sumber Alam Sutra, PT Triusaha Saritani, and PT Tri Bangun Pusaka.
Annual demand on rice seeds amounted 350,000 tons, meanwhile available supply only 120,000 tons came from the state-own company 100,000 tons, and private companies 20,000 tons. The rest of 230,000 tons produce by rice farmers – non-label rice seeds, as claimed by Soetarto Alimoeso, director general food crops of ministry of agriculture (Tani Merdeka, August 2007). This segment is market opportunity for marketing hybrid rice seeds meanwhile the ministry of agriculture has allocated 800,000 hectares for hybrid rice in 2007.
The minister of agriculture has released around 31 hybrid rice varieties: 6 varieties produced by the Indonesians rice breeders and the rest were an introduction-type of rice varieties (imported from other countries) in the least few years. According Ahmad Suryana, head of Badan Litbang Departemen Pertanian or the Agency for Agriculture Research and Development MoA in the last five years the Indonesian rice breeders have produced about 20 new rice varieties both hybrid rice and non-hybrid rice. However, last year plant breeders face serious problems when the state budget reduced allocation for travel in agriculture. The spearhead of research in agri-sector has no able to develop research optimally to produce high yielded crop varieties.
According the head of the agency for agriculture research and development (AARD) of Ministry of Agriculture, Ahmad Suryana on Sunday (09/12/2007) in Bogor, the reduction budget allocation for travel which reached around 70 percent since August 2007-12-10 impacted to crop multi-location trials. “Crop multi-location trials are very important as to gain yield stability and characteristic which claimed of a crop variety developed, because a crop variety is not developed for one region but to all region in Indonesia,” he said.
Budget allocation for agri-R&D amounted Rp 650 millions for 2007. According him, every crop variety should carry out multi-location trial in 20 different locations to represent Indonesia in two different seasons (rain and dry seasons) before a crop variety released commercially.
Mufid Busairi, a member of Commission on Agri and Fisheries in the parliament, from faction PKB, Nation Awakening Party, said in Hotel Aryaduta, 7 November 2007, subsidy to rice seeds for 2007 amounted Rp 1.2 trillions DPR or law makers supporting policy ministry of agriculture which preferred domestic-based hybrid rice;. Meaning DPR has approved the government’s policy for hybrid rice. Imported hybrid rice seed beyond authority of MoA, because this was high profile trade politic between JK (Vice President) and TW, a business tycoon (see, also: Tommy Winata with rice seeds will stop imported rice for Indonesians? Riza V. Tjahjadi, BioTani Indonesia Foundation. Jakarta, 12 September 2007; Kalla backs hybrid rice to increase food stock, the Jakarta Post 18 Oct. 2007; Hybrid Rice in Indonesia, Too ambitious with the Golden Boy..! BioTani Indonesia. Jakarta 25 Oct. 2007)
Be wary promote ITK; it’s neutral without clear ideology
Indigenous Technology and Knowledge or sustainable agriculture is merely instrument
When dealing seeds planting. This may be become misleading if someone, SA, SRI or organic farming campaigner(s), merely depends and heavily promoting on planting system which, later perceived by researchers and seed companies as neutral technology for growing whatever rice seed varieties.
In the Pedoman Umum Budidaya Padi Hibrida or General Guideline Planting Hybrid Rice issued by Badan Litbang Departemen Pertanian (the Agency for Agriculture Reseach and Development) March 2007 follows prinsip Pendekatan Pengelolaan Tanaman Terpadi Padi Sawah or integrated crop management for sawah paddy approach principles. In brief, suggested technology component with PTT for hybrid rice cultivation.
1. Using high yielded rice varieties and/or high economic value.
2. Using certified seeds with high quality seedling.
3. Using balance fertiliser with site specific consideration.
4. Using organic compost materials and/or animal manure as fertiliser and soil restorer.
5. Seeds management and healthy rice crop.
o Planting arrangement with “sistem legowo”, “tegel”, or direct seedling with maintaining minimum population.
o Using seed with characters high viability (“daya tumbuh tinggi”), relatively quick and grow simultaneously which resulted from separation of good quality rice seeds (pursuing the grain is fully compact).
o Transplanting young seedlings with limited amount, and put it between 1 and 3 seedlings per hole.
o Arranging irrigation with interval, and drying with interval, and
o Weed management.
6. Pest and disease management with integrated approach.
7. Using mechanical paddy thresher.
Moreover, hybrid rice cultivation also suggested can apply “model tegel” (20 x 20 cm, 22 x 22 cm or 25 x 25 cm). “Model Legowo” 2:1, 3:1 or 4:1 with space 12,5 cm within row and 25 cm inter row. All two planting methods relate to crop population with a hectare of sawah (Table 1).
Table 1. Rice Crop Population within a hectares rice field
No Planting Method Population per Ha % to Population with Model Tegel
1 Tegel (a floor tile) 20 x 20 cm 250 000 100
2 Tegel 22 x 22 cm 206 611 >100
3 Tegel 25 x 25 cm 160 000 <100
4 Legowo 2: 1 (10 x 20 cm) 333 333 133
5 Legowo 3: 1 (10 x 20 cm) 375 000 150
6 Legowo 4 : 1 (10 x 20 cm) 400 000 160
7 Legowo 2 : 1 (12,5 x 25 cm) 213 000 133
8 Legowo 3 : 1 (12,5 x 25 cm) 240 000 150
9 Legowo 4 : 1 (12,5 x 25 cm) 256 000 160
Note: by RVT
Tegel = literary, a floor tile, symmetric planting system (tegel). Wider space among rows facilitates faster growing of seedling.
Legowo = feel relieved or space; this model traditionally practices mostly by farmers in Central Jawa, using plant spacing.
Table above shows “model legowo” with similar spacing has higher population 33-60% compare to “model tegel”, in turn, harvested grains expected have higher amount. Experienced using “model legowo” planting system in various parts of Jawa (West, Central and East Jawa) shows increasing harvested seeds at around 6-26.6% or 0.4 – 1.6 ton/ha compare to “model tegel” planting system. Badan Litbang Deptan (AARD MoA) resumed, at least, seven advantages by using “model legowo” to hybrid rice seeds, three examples: higher production, and border effect of “model legowo” sound working effectively, and rat infestation at lower rate.
Although last year, hybrid rice not successful contributing to national rice production, mostly hampered by prolong drought and distribution problems, but who knows for this year. Who knows whenever agri-researchers and/or farmers use System of Rice Intensification (SRI) for hybrid rice mass cultivation? It’s a mater of time.
Jakarta, 23 January 2008
About SRI in Indonesia; just two examples:
http://ciifad.cornell.edu/SRI/countries/indonesia/index.html
http://www.rotaryubud.org/projects/susAg-project.htm
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