ICFCIS and IRRI conduct training on on-farm trials for updating SSNM principles for RCM-Indonesia

The  Indonesian Center for Food Crops Instruments Standardization (ICFCIS) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)  conducted an online training on on-farm trials to help upgrade algorithms and guidelines for effective fertilizer management for rice farmers of Indonesia on 11-12 April 2023.  The activity trained the participants on Nutrient Omission Plot Technique (NOPT) and Rice Crop Manager (RCM) evaluation trials as part of the capacity-building activities of the RCM-Indonesia Project funded by MAFRA, Republic of Korea.

RCM, locally known as Layanan Konsultasi Padi (LKP) Indonesia, provides field-specific nutrient management recommendations adapted from the principles and algorithms of the site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) approach. Digital tools such as LKP can enable the delivery of improved agronomic management practices to farmers at scale thus enabling better decision-making.

NOPT is used to estimate fertilizer requirements. In an omission plot, adequate amounts of all nutrients are applied except for the nutrient of interest (the omitted nutrient). The yield from such an omission plot reflects the indigenous soil supplying capacity of the omitted nutrient.

The NOPT and LKP evaluation trials will obtain data to update and upgrade the LKP. The RCM Indonesia Project aims to upgrade the current version of the LKP Indonesia developed in 2015, disseminate it to more farmers, and build the capacities of various stakeholders in using agricultural digital tools.

“These trials are critical data sources for the project and should be handled carefully so we ensure good use of  project funds and resources,” said Dr. Hasil Sembiring, IRRI liaison scientist to Indonesia. Dr. Sheetal Sharma, IRRI Senior Scientist, and RCM-Indonesia Project Lead further reiterated their commitment to the initiative, adding “Our team will continue to be available for guidance and further support in implementing the trials.”

Dr. Nuning Argo Subekti, ICFCIS lead coordinator for the LKP Indonesia project, reiterated their team’s full support and encouraged the participants to maximize the learning opportunity.

A total of 23 participants from the Balai Penerapan Standar Instrumen Pertanian Jawa Barat, Jawa Timur and Sulawesi Selatan, ICFCIS, Balai Besar Penerapan Standar Instrumen Pertanian, Balai Besar Pengujian Standar Instrumen Padi, and HarvestPlus attended the training. The LKP Indonesia project is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Republic of Korea.

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