ARTICLE

Our Paddy Fields Need Organic Fertilizer

(also contained in Agrina Vol. 8 No. 177)

Due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers by farmers, almost 60% of Indonesia’s paddy fields are damaged or harmed. The indication of the damage can be seen from the decline of soil productivity and plant’s endurance. In order to repair it, it will take up to two years or six planting seasons. Iskandar Andi Nuhung, Specialized Staff of the Minister of Agriculture, stated that agricultural lands, especially in northern shores such as in Indramayu, have lost their micro nutrients due to the use of inorganic fertilizers previously. The damage, he said, was because farmers used to rely on chemical fertilizers to fertilize plants. In fact, not all of the chemical contents were absorbed by plants. If the chemical contents were too large, the soil would be saturated.
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