Chemical-Free Farming to the Rescue
In spite of its fertile soil, Indonesia is still miles away from food self-sufficiency. Some farmers have adopted the organic method to increase their yields and improve food security. In Waingapu, East Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, for instance, Rahmat Organik started the Organic Farming Field School and is campaigning for chemical-free farming. Meanwhile, women farmers in the Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan, have returned to certain local wisdom passed down through generations and are producing organic pesticide from jengkol, or dog fruit (Archidendron pauciflorum). At the end of August, the Agriculture Ministry announced that it would establish the National Qualification Framework (KKNI) to outline organic farming standards in the country. Tempo English reports.
September 5, 2017
The Leap to Organic Farming
Rahmat Organik started an organic farming field school at Makamenggit, East Sumba Regency. Farmers who adopted his method have increased their rice yields up to 50 percent.
IT was only 6 o'clock in the morning, but Andreas Ndahwali was already up. He left his small hut near a small 60-are farm at Waingapu, East Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), to inspect his young paddy plants. Compost fertilizer was piled no
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