IPB University KKNT Innovation Group Holds Soil pH Measurement Demonstration to Farmers in Mulyoasri Village
The Innovation Real Thematic Work Lecture Group (KKNT) from IPB University which is currently doing service in Mulyoasri Village, Ampelgading District, Malang Regency, East Java held a socialisation event and demonstration of measuring the acidity level (pH) of land on local residents’ agricultural land.
This activity is carried out periodically in four hamlets in Mulyoasri Village, namely Mulyoasri Hamlet, Mulyoagung Hamlet, Sumbersuko Hamlet, and Sukorejo Hamlet.
The KKNT Innovation Group from IPB University visited the agricultural lands of the residents of Mulyoasri Village and directly accompanied the demonstration of soil pH measurement activities to the farmers. Soil pH measurement is carried out as a form of improving the condition of agricultural soil to determine the quality of the soil and its suitability for the commodities planted by the farmers of Mulyoasri Village.
Filza Syafira, one of the members of the KKNT Innovation group, said that soil pH measurement is important for farmers to find out the quality of the soil and its suitability for horticulture commodities in Mulyoasri Village.
“The acidity level (pH) of the soil needs to be known and adjusted to the plant commodities that will be planted so that nutrients will be absorbed properly by the plants,” she said.
Therefore, she said, the KKNT Innovation group also distributed a guide brochure containing several horticultural commodities that are generally grown in Mulyoasri Village and their appropriate pH values to the farmers present.
Filza explained, soil pH measurement is carried out through two methods, namely using litmus paper and digital soil metre, so that it can be compared to see its accuracy.
In addition, soil temperature, soil moisture, and radiation intensity can also be known through a digital soil metre measurements. The tools used are relatively easy to find and operate, to make it easier for farmers to improve the soil.
Eko Sugiantoro, Chief of Sukorejo Hamlet said that one of the obstacles of the farmers in Mulyoasri Village was the improvement of the land which was still difficult to do.
“Here the improvement of the land is still difficult, you have to go to Malang City first to check the condition of the land,” he said.
He added that the planting pattern of farmers who usually directly plant other commodities after harvesting a commodity, often reduces the quality of the soil, including its acidity level.
From socialisation activities and demonstrations of soil pH measurement, the KKNT Innovation group hopes that it can be a simple step for farmers in improving agricultural land in Mulyoasri Village and obtaining the maximum harvest results. (*/Rz) (IAAS/IAN)
