IPB Assisted Farmers Whose Rice Fields Had Been Affected by Brown Planthopper Infestattion in Subang
We see there are a lot of very contradictory view today in the agricultural fields. Contrary to the emerging issues in agricultural development problems, the Ministry of Agriculture claimed that they are their successful program. Different indicators are regarded as agricultural successes. Truly the success of agriculture is our ability to improve the life of farmers to be more feasible and humane. Agriculture should be viewed comprehensively with a more realistic viewpoint.
The brown planthopper (BPH: Nilaparvata lugens Stal) locally known as wereng coklat is a miniscule fast breeding insect that lodges in the stalks of rice plants. It feeds directly on the rice plant; in large numbers and the BPH is capable of sucking the life out of extended fields of rice, causing what is called ‘hopperburn’. The BPH is also a carrier of two destructive rice virus diseases: ragged stunt virus and grassy stunt virus, either of which can be as devastating to a rice crop as the direct feeding by the BPH. The list of Kabupaten affected by brown planthopper last year reads as a litany of Java’s main rice producing areas: Banyuwangi, Jember, Lamongan, Bojonegoro, Jombang, Kediri, Blitar, Tulungagung in East Java, Pati, Purwodadi, Tegal, Sragen, Boyolali, Klaten, Sukoharjo, Semarang, Banyumas, Cilacap in Central Java, Tasikmalaya, Indramayu, Subang and Karawang. With the outset of the rainy seasons, these populations are forecast to explode in number, spread and become even more devastating. Tens of hectares of paddy fields in Subang are currently attacked by Brown Planthopper. Farmers screamed for crop failure and PPL had been disappear. Convinced by the motto that the success of agriculture is the success of improving the welfare of its farmers, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) is called to I mmediately take care to the field to help farmers.
Services and activities for farmer assistance were carried out directly through the Plant Clinic IPB. This event was directly led by IPB Rector, Prof. Dr. Herry Suhardiyanto, together with clinical expert and plant pathologists, namely Prof. Dr. Aunu Rauf, Prof. Rully Anwar, Prof. Dadang, Prof. Hesty, Dr. Suryo Wiyono, Dr. Bonjok Istiaji and some students of IPB.
Dr. Suryo Wiyono as Head of Plant Protection Department IPB presents complete equipment of IPB Plant Clinic as well as guidelines for controlling aphis and virus, as well as the biological control agent, Lecanucilium.
The center of the activity had been located in Desa Pada Mulya, Cipunegara Sub-district, Subang Regency, the programs were carried out in two steps. The first step was the dialogue with the farmers, then direct observation to the location of the infested rice fields affected by the Brown Planthopper. The activity which was fully supported by IPB Alumni, was also accompanied by the handing over of equipment to control brown planthopper and dwarf virus (one which was innovated by IPB) by the Rector of IPB to the community.
On this special occasion, Rector of IPB continues to encourage farmers never tired on the struggling for agriculture, because in fact they are the backbone of Indonesia's economy. Chairman of House of Representative of Subang Regency appreciated highly for IPB expertise who were hand in hand with farmers in controlling of brown planthopper.
"Keep fighting and IPB will always support you with a wide range of expertise we own will recommending technologies best suited to your requirements, " said Rector. (Wied)
