UNS – The Faculty of Agriculture (FP) at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held a workshop on the “Implementation, Impact, and Effectiveness of Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) Practices” in collaboration with rice cooperatives in Central Java. The event, which took place at the Madukara Room, UNS Inn, on Thursday (14/11/2024), was part of a research collaboration program between the SRP Demonstration Plot (Demplot) in Central Java, Rikolto Indonesia, and FP UNS.

In Indonesia, most farmers operate on a small scale, contributing nearly 90% of the country’s rice production. Traditionally, these rice farmers rely heavily on chemical fertilizers, supported by government subsidies. Recognizing the environmental issues arising from rice cultivation, Rikolto believes that rice production can be both economically viable and environmentally sustainable. The SRP initiative aims to educate farmers on reducing dependency on chemical inputs and utilizing locally available natural resources, ultimately boosting farmers’ income.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Gusti Fauza, Vice Dean for Academic and Research at FP UNS, highlighted the synergy between academia and practitioners demonstrated by this collaboration with Rikolto Indonesia. The partnership aims to conduct research and publish findings on SRP cultivation plots, assessing the environmental and economic impacts on farmers based on the SRP standard version 2.2 in Boyolali and Klaten districts.

“This research initiative marks a significant contribution from higher education institutions toward ensuring the quality and quantity of food supplies. We hope this effort will continue, leading to future projects aimed at securing food quality and quantity. The goal is for Indonesia to reduce its reliance on imports and achieve food self-sufficiency,” Dr. Gusti stated.

The workshop also aimed to foster a supportive environment for multi-stakeholder collaboration at various levels and to enhance knowledge sharing through the dissemination of UNS’s research findings on the effectiveness of SRP implementation in Central Java.

Nana Suhartana, Rice Program Manager at Rikolto Indonesia, explained, “The SRP is a global standard for rice production. This program involves participation from the government, private sector, and academic institutions. The expected impacts of SRP cultivation include increased profitability, productivity, food safety, water use efficiency, nutrient management, pesticide reduction, biodiversity preservation, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, worker health and safety, and protection of labor rights.”

Research conducted by FP UNS in partnership with Rikolto Indonesia indicated that SRP rice productivity was relatively higher compared to the national average. SRP rice cultivation demonstrated substantial output while maintaining efficient input use.

This joint effort between FP UNS and Rikolto Indonesia aligns with the objectives of achieving food security, improving nutrition, promoting sustainable agriculture, and ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. It also contributes to the fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) point 2 (Zero Hunger) and point 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

HUMAS UNS