Combating Brown Planthopper in Pasir Tanjung Village, IPB University Students Assist Residents in Making Botanical Pesticides

Students from the Thematic Real Work Lecture (KKNT) Innovation program of IPB University organized a botanical pesticide-making activity in Pasir Tanjung Village, Tanjungsari Subdistrict, Bogor, West Java. This initiative aimed to help local farmers combat the brown planthopper, a pest that frequently attacks rice plants and significantly reduces crop yields.

“A few weeks ago, KKNT Innovation students from IPB University received information from Mr. Ibad (a member of the village farmers’ group) about the problems faced by farmers. The rice fields in Pasir Tanjung had been severely affected by brown planthopper infestations,” explained Putri Junita Siagian, a member of the student team.

Symptoms of brown planthopper attacks include yellowing rice leaves, stunted plants, and a large number of empty grains. This situation has led to a drastic drop in harvests, even causing some farmers to suffer total crop failures.

Farmers in Pasir Tanjung Village have so far relied on chemical pesticides because they are practical and easy to obtain. However, Putri noted that excessive use of chemical pesticides can lead to pest resistance, residues on agricultural commodities, soil degradation, environmental pollution, and health issues.

“Therefore, the KKNT Innovation students of IPB initiated a botanical pesticide-making activity using garlic as a sustainable alternative solution for controlling brown planthoppers,” Putri said.

The workshop on making botanical pesticides took place on Sunday (28/7) at the home of a member of the Mulyasari Farmers Group. Resti Rahmawati Putri, from the KKNT Innovation group in Pasir Tanjung Village, explained that the compound allicin found in garlic acts as a repellent and toxin against brown planthoppers.

“Allicin disrupts the digestive and metabolic systems of brown planthoppers, thereby reducing their population. Additionally, the sulfur and ammonia content in garlic produces a strong odor that brown planthoppers find repellent,” Resti explained while assisting the farmers of Pasir Tanjung Village.

“We hope this assistance will be beneficial and effective in addressing the pest problems faced by farmers and help reduce the use of chemical pesticides that can harm the environment,” added Rava, another member of the KKNT Innovation team.

The initiative was well received by the local farmers’ group and the community. Ibad, the Treasurer of the Mulyasari Farmers Group, expressed his appreciation and found the botanical pesticide-making activity helpful. “The process of making botanical pesticides is simple, and the ingredients are easily obtainable, so farmers can make them themselves to combat brown planthoppers,” he said. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)