The size of agricultural land in Indonesia is about 76 million ha. Approximately 67.6 million ha of them are used for dry land, plantations, pastures and grasslands. While the remaining only about 8.4 million ha is used as wet or paddy fields consisting of irrigated rice fields technical, semi technical, simple, tidal land and rainfed land.
With very limited wetlands available for use as wetlands, there is no other choice but to apply the proper way of processing to deliver maximum results.
To give maximum results, the rice fields must be processed properly. Good cultivation of land before rice is planted is one key to successful harvesting. Processing of land intended for rice crops is very important to note. Because the paddy field (rice field) is a place to take the necessary nutrient reserves for rice plants. Therefore, the growth of rice plants will be influenced by the extent of processing done before planting.
Is Intani which is one of the hybrid rice that is currently used as a prima donna. Intani will provide optimal results if managed properly, ranging from the time of land care before planting, breeding, planting, fertilizing, weeding until harvest.
Wetland farming systems using Intani seeds can be implemented in traditional and modern ways. The traditional way to use plows, singkals, and hoes while modern means of using mechanization tools such as hand tractors.
The steps that must be done to get the maximum results are as follows:
Wetland farming process begins with separating straw, unpaid harvest, grass and other weeds. In order for straw and other plants remain unburnt. So to facilitate the processing of soil, should be separated straw and collected around the dike (plot).
In the dry season, rice fields must be flooded for a few days to keep the pores open and soft soil texture.
After the soil becomes soft, ready for processing.
The first processing is done by plowing. Piracy can be both traditional and modern. The traditional way to use the plow / singkal with the help of the strength of a cow or buffalo while the modern way using a plow hand tractor. The process of piracy is done by turning the soil layer so that the remnants of plants such as grass, and straw can go down. Once the land is plowed, it is left for several days, in order for the fermentation process to decompose the rest of the plants and straw on the ground.
During the process must be added organic material or other fertilizers. The goal is that the content of nutrients and microbial growth in the soil may increase. In addition, the use of organic materials and manure can improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil and other growth factors not normally provided by chemical (inorganic) fertilizers. Use organic materials or manure as much as 2-3 tons / ha. Organic or manure materials include compost, straw, cow dung or chicken, green manure and other organic fertilizers. Manure and other organic sources are used during land preparation to improve soil fertility and soil organic matter content.
After completing the first process, continue with the second treatment. In the second process is done the process of spraying or mixing between organic materials with soil. This process is intended to allow the organic material to join the soil layer. Try to make this water supply sufficient. Do not be too dry and do not get too wet. This mixing process is done until the organic material is completely fused and the mud with the litter layer.
The subsequent process of the soil surface is leveled with the aid of equipment in the form of wooden boards drawn by cows or buffalo (traditional). Or, use a hand tractor (modern). This process is intended so that the soil layer is really ready to grow rice when tandur is implemented.
The land preparation process is then adjusted to the preparation of the nursery, so there will be no delay in planting activities. Ideal time ranges from 15 - 21 days.
In order to provide maximum results, it is recommended that the use of hand tractors is not done continuously for a long time. Sometimes interspersed with the traditional way of using the plow / singkal because the impact is generated if every time cultivate the land using a tractor is a more dense soil texture. This will affect the process of nutrient uptake and root growth in rice plants.