Supporting the Goal of Food Self-Sufficiency, the Agriculture and Plantation Sectors Are Urged to Immediately Optimize Organic Fertilizers

Muara Enim – The goal of food self-sufficiency, as declared by President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, faces significant challenges, requiring systematic handling. A key issue is the health and fertility of soil, which has become one of the biggest challenges in Indonesia’s agricultural and plantation sectors.

“From a scientific standpoint, healthy soil is almost nonexistent. Most soil is ‘sick,’ with only a small portion considered healthy. This applies not only to Java but also to Sumatra,” said Dr. Umar Harun, a lecturer and Head of the Research Plantation at Sriwijaya University’s (Unsri) Faculty of Agriculture. He made this statement during the ‘Benefits of Organic and Biological Fertilizers for Soil Health and Agriculture’ outreach and socialization event organized by PT Menthobi Hijau Lestari (MHL) at the Melio Hotel in Muara Enim, South Sumatra.

Umar explained that “sick” soil is characterized by an organic matter content of only 2%. This is concerning, as soil benefits extend beyond agriculture and plantations to encompass broader aspects of human life. For agriculture and plantations specifically, Umar emphasized that soil health is a key component of sustainable practices. Healthy soil supports quality food production and can retain water, which is crucial during climate challenges like drought.

“According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), Java, parts of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), and South Sumatra will experience a longer and hotter dry season in 2025. This is a threat. So now, how do we prevent this threat from becoming a disaster? We improve the soil,” Umar advised.

Umar suggested that improving soil health involves treating it with “medicine,” meaning organic materials. He praised MHL’s efforts to educate and provide GreenGrow organic fertilizer as a responsible initiative

The importance of understanding organic fertilization policies was also discussed by Akbar Paripurna, Head of the Muara Enim Regency Plantation and Seedling Department, and Ulil Amri, Head of the Food Crops, Horticulture, and Livestock Department. Both spoke at the outreach event organized by PT MHL.

PT MHL‘s Director, Dadan Ramdhani, explained that the company’s socialization and outreach efforts reflect its commitment to stakeholders in agriculture and plantations, particularly in South Sumatra. MHL, a subsidiary of PT Menthobi Karyatama Raya Tbk (MKTR), has collaborated with PT Berlian Inti Mekar (PT BIM), a subsidiary of PT Mahkota Group Tbk (MGRO), to establish GreenGrow organic fertilizer production facilities, utilizing palm oil waste in South Sumatra.

“In the past four years, PT MHL has actively conducted research and field practices to develop the best solutions for agriculture and plantations, particularly in addressing nutrient issues in soils. We recognize that each region has unique characteristics and challenges in land management, and that is why we are here,” he said.

Dadan hopes that the benefits of these efforts will be broad and sustainable, contributing meaningfully to the Food Security and Self-Sufficiency initiative declared by President Prabowo Subianto.

“We see this as a solution with dual benefits. First, it addresses environmental issues both through GreenGrow’s production process and its impact on soil health. Second, it enhances sustainable agriculture,” he added.

Sudono Slamet, Head of Research and Development at MHL, noted that fertile soil is key to achieving national food security and self-sufficiency, as targeted by Prabowo Subianto’s administration. “This is a shared concern. Therefore, we have taken the initiative to contribute independently through MHL’s findings and innovations with GreenGrow,” he explained.

Sudono emphasized that MHL is open to collaborations with various parties to educate on organic fertilizer use in support of this major mission. “We aim to carry out socialization and outreach activities in many other regions as well,” he stated firmly.

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