Developing Sustainable Agriculture with Sorghum: Innovations for the Future

Jelimpo, 16 July 2023 - In the midst of efforts to improve food security and maintain agricultural sustainability, the Indonesian Fertilizer Producing Organization is distributing sorghum plant seeds through fertilizer kiosks in collaboration with the Agricultural Extension Center in Jelimpo sub-district, a plant that has great potential to change the agricultural landscape in this region. This effort is a step forward in promoting sustainable agriculture and providing a new alternative for local farmers.

Last Sunday, Agricultural Field Extension and fertilizer kiosk owners gathered in the agricultural land behind the Jelimpo sub-district Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Extension Center office which had been carefully prepared to plant sorghum. 

This plant was chosen because of its high resistance to dry climate conditions and its potential to provide abundant yields. It is hoped that the presence of sorghum in the Jelimpo sub-district will help farmers overcome the challenges of the dry season and increase food security.

The owner of the kiosk and agricultural extension worker in Jelimpo sub-district, Ms. Sekarsari Darmowiyoto, took part in planting the sorghum seeds and conveyed some information regarding the importance of this step in developing sustainable agriculture. 

He said, "Planting this sorghum seed is our first step in creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture in Jelimpo. Sorghum is a crop that is drought tolerant and rich in nutrients, so it has great potential to improve the welfare of farmers and society as a whole." 

For now the sorghum seeds are intended for fertilizer kiosks and extension workers only, the sorghum seeds have not been distributed to farmers because this sorghum is relatively new to the Jelimpo area, there is a fear that the seeds may fail to be planted before there is more intensive introduction and understanding from extension workers about sorghum plants.

Apart from that, Ms. Sekarsari also highlighted the new economic opportunities that would be generated from the sorghum plant. "Sorghum can be used as animal feed, raw materials for the food and beverage industry, flour, and bioenergy. By developing local and regional markets for sorghum products, we can make a significant economic contribution to farmers and encourage economic diversification in the region," he added.

The planting of sorghum is also an opportunity for local farmers and researchers to work together in developing sorghum varieties that are more adaptive to climate and soil conditions in Jelimpo sub-district. 

Collaboration between research institutions, the government, the Department of Agriculture and local farmers will play an important role in optimizing the potential of sorghum as a food crop and high-value commodity. By developing local and regional markets for sorghum products, it is possible to increase farmer incomes and reduce dependence on more limited agricultural commodities.

Farmers responded positively to this effort, with some hoping that the sorghum crop would provide them with abundant yields and provide them with economic stability. 

Several farmer groups also plan to conduct further training and counseling on sorghum cultivation to other farmers, so that knowledge and understanding of the potential of this crop can be spread properly.