Upland Rice, a Breakthrough for Increasing Rice Planting Area in West Java with IPB University’s Assistance

The upland rice system is a breakthrough for increasing rice planting area in Indonesia. In West Java alone, the estimated potential dryland area for upland rice is around 400.000 hectares.

As a breakthrough in utilizing dryland, the Faculty of Agriculture of IPB University assisted in upland rice cultivation in Cibitung Wetan, Pamijahan, Bogor Regency.

“This upland harvest was relatively successful, with a productivity of 3,6 tons of dry grain (GKP) per hectare on 1 hectare of land,” said Prof. Suryo Wiyono, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of IPB University, during a harvest event with the Village Head of Cibitung Wetan and the Cibitung Wetan Prosperous Farmers Group (10/1).

Prof Suryo explained that the innovations implemented were the IPB 9G rice variety and soil and plant health technology. This program is a collaboration between the Cibitung Wetan Village Government, the Faculty of Agriculture, IPB University, and PT SRI Bogor.

“Planting upland rice is one of our flagship programs to disseminate agricultural technology innovations developed by the Faculty of Agriculture, such as upland rice varieties, microbes for pest and drought resistance, and weather forecasting methods, thus having a real impact on agriculture and the nation,” he explained.

The upland rice planting efforts in Cibitung Wetan, explained Prof Suryo, are aimed at making the poorly maintained land in the area more productive. The mentoring provided by the Faculty of Agriculture, IPB University, has been ongoing for almost two years.

Meanwhile, Budi, Chairman of the Sejahtera Farmers Group, stated that the support of IPB University, particularly the Faculty of Agriculture, is still needed for the farming efforts of the Cibitung Wetan community. (*/Rz) (IAAS/ARD)