Boosting Food Security in East Kalimantan with LEISA System

Strategic Insights -

A farming trial in Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, has achieved remarkable success in increasing rice yield using the Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA) system. The trial, which included two farmer groups, Gapoktan Citarum and Gapoktan Sukamaju, resulted in an average yield of 6.2 tons per hectare, a 74% increase from the previous 3.6 tons per hectare. The success of this trial is a significant step towards stabilizing food prices in East Kalimantan and improving the economic prospects of local farmers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The LEISA system has been implemented in various regencies in East Kalimantan, including Kutai Kartanegara, Samarinda, East Kutai, West Kutai, and Mahakam Ulu, as part of the national "Asta Cita Swasembada Pangan" program.
  • The program aims to achieve food self-sufficiency by tapping regional potential with the help of local government and universities.
  • The use of digital farming tools, such as drone sprayers, has improved efficiency in production at a lower cost.
  • Two farmer groups, Gapoktan Citarum and Gapoktan Sukamaju, have achieved yields of 5.3 and 7.23 tons per hectare, respectively, for an average of 6.2 tons.
  • Bank Indonesia's East Kalimantan office is supplying modern tools to farmer groups, including bore wells, integrated livestock facilities, and smart farming devices.
  • The government rice reserve in East Kalimantan stood at about 3.9 million tons as of early September.
  • The program predicts that East Kalimantan's food inflation will improve over the medium and long term through more secure local supply.

Statistics:

  • Rice yield in the experiment area increased from 3.6 tons per hectare to 6.2 tons, a 74% increase.
  • The two farmer groups achieved yields of 5.3 and 7.23 tons per hectare, respectively.
  • The average yield achieved in the trial is 6.2 tons per hectare.
  • The government rice reserve in East Kalimantan stood at about 3.9 million tons as of early September.
  • The first harvest under the program took place in May 2022, with follow-ups in September of the same year.

Sources:

  • ANTON (2022) "Farming trial in East Kalimantan shows 74% increase in rice yield using LEISA system". Primayanti (translator), Rahmad Nasution (editor). ANTARA.