Potato Organic Farming in Batu City, Indonesia
Potato Organic Farming in Batu City, Indonesia
Sugiarto 1,4 , Rudi Sulistiono , Sudiarso , Soemarno
1 Environment and Developemnt Studies Doctoral Program, Graduate School, University of Brawijaya, Indonesia
2 Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Malang Islamic University, Indonesia
3 Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Brawijaya, Indonesia
4 Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Brawijaya, Indonesia
Abstract
Organic potato cultivation was an effort to improve declining quality of potato agroecosystems and to preserve soil fertility. This study was conducted to analyze pattern of farming system and land management on the area of organic potatoes in Batu city. Research was conducted by the survey method, respondents were determined by the method of stratified cluster sampling. Farmer respondents were experienced organic potato farmer and as "expert leaders". Results show that the mindset of farmers were still characterized by limited understanding of "landuse and the environment" (Score = 2). While the availability of raw materials of organic fertilizer in research sites was very limited and insufficient (score = 1). Availability of organic seed potatoes were very limited, and even tend to be scarced (Score = 1). However, in the business area of potatoes, there were the local variety of potato that grows wild and the local farmer named them as "Crazy Potato". This potato high resistance to environmental stresses, pests, and diseases. Impact of conventional farming to changes in environmental quality (Score = 2) characterized by agro-ecosystems that had been damaged. Soil fertility at this point (Score = 2), including the criteria for "low fertility", meaning the land was considered infertile. Granola varieties of organic potato production average was 11.17 tons/ha, while the Atlantic variety was 12.43 tons/ha. Organic potato farming risk (score = 4), including the level of "high risk of failure". Decrease in the number of predators (Score = 3), reflecting the extinction rate was high (40-59%). Organic potato price stability (Score = 1) were low, and the price was considered unstable. Organic potato price (Score = 3) two times more expensive than conventional potatoes. Quality of the organic potato agroecosystem has suggested symptom of degradation. Improvement of the quality of agroecosystems requires a more stringent public policies that bind all actors in the center of potato farming organically. The sustainable organic farming of potato requires the local government support, the business community and potato farmer in solving any problems. Potato market institutions, farming partnerships and marketing linkages are relatively weak and must be strengthened and empowered.
Keywords: potato, organic farming, agro-ecosystem
INTRODUCTION * for preserving the soil fertility. Application of Organic
organic fertilizer on potato land as a substitute of application of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers.
potato farming
minimize
the
inorganic fertilizers can improve the soil The manure, green manure, and compost are
microorganisms communities, improve soil applied to replace or minimize the use of artificial
fertility, and soil biodiversity after two years of inorganic fertilizers (Hepperly et al., 2009).
applications (Shannon et al., 2002); so the Management of farmland with intensive cropping
development of potato tuber are better patterns through the application of inorganic
(Suthamathy and Seran, 2013). fertilizers and pesticides in excessive doses,
Organic management of soil by utilizing the become a major
crop residues can improve quality of potato degradation (Kleijn et al., 2009). Minimization of
cause in
bio-diversity
agroecosystem in the potato regions. Land external input in potato farming is expected to
management with the regular inclusion of the maintain soil fertility, produce high quality of
biomass or organic fertilizer into the soil and soil tuber, and environmental safety (Tilman et al.,
water conservation practices can reduce surface 2002; Flynn and Smith, 2010). The application of
runoff and soil erosion, resulting in improvement organic matter in the potato farming intended
of soil productivity (Ashari and Saptana, 2007).
Application of compost increase soil nitrogen
* supply, compost decomposition by decomposing AlamatKorespondensi
Sugiarto bacteria produced an amount available nutrients
Email : sugiarto@yahoo.com into the soil (Herencia et al., 2007). Alamat : Jurusan Agroteknologi, Fakultas Pertanian,
Based on the ecological principles, organic Universitas Islam Malang, Jl. M.T. Haryono 193
farming practices should be directed at the Malang
E-ISSN.2338-1787 Potato Organic Farming in Batu City, Indonesia (Sugiarto, et al.)
improvement of soil fertility to support soil contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and biological life, and crop can grow and produce
micro nutrients. Restoration of land functions can well. The potato crops fertilized with chicken
be performed with the application of manure, manure showed better tuber yield in comparison
green manure, and compost that are beneficial with dairy manure, it due to the chicken manure
for the production of potato, because it contains has a higher content of nitrogen (Ceylan et al.,
an amount of macro and micro nutrients 2006)
(Suthamathy massacre, 2013). The suitable crop Availability and balance of nutrients in the soil
environmental conditions become the supporting can be improved by
factors in potatoes farming. The application of Application of fresh biomass into the soil more
recycling biomass.
manure can retain soil moisture, store more speed up the decomposition process and
amount of soil water, and reduce soil erosion. produces amount of available nitrogen to plants.
Management of land to increase storage capacity It is expected to restore the soil health, thereby
of available soil water can be carried out through reducing the needs of inorganic fertilizers
application of organic matter or biomass into the (Ministry of the Environment, 2009).
soil (KNLH, 2009). If the agricultural land are Management of energy resources, water, air,
managed organically, it can facilitate rainwater and soil are based on the principles of micro-
infiltration, reducing surface runoff and improve environmental management. Land management
available water storage in the soil, making it can be done with the improvement of the soil
more beneficial to increase crop production aeration,
(Seufert et al., 1969). Organic fertilizer is usually conservation by taking into account the
soil drainage,
soil
and water
has a characteristic: (1) low nutrient content; (2) environmental health (Brown et al., 2000).
the slow available nutrients; (3) the amount of The implementation of soil and water
essential nutrients that can be absorbed by conservation techniques are to minimize surface
plants is limited; and (4) are useful for the runoff and soil erosion. Application of biomass
improvement of the physical condition of the soil into the soil, soil surface mulching with the crop
in the long term (KNLH, 2009). residues, can serve as an protection to raindrops,
The application of organic fertilizers can surface runoff, and support the soil organism
improve the soil biodiversity (Bengtsson et al., lives (Simanungkalit, 2006).
2005); improve quality of the soil ecosystem, so Minimization of crop losses due to the pests
as to create a dynamic life of different levels of and diseases are through implementation of the
soil organisms (Gabriel et al., 2010). Soil integrated
organisms is very important in the process of Utilization
pest management
principles.
decomposition of complex organic compounds (Arthrobotrys oligospora, Dactylaria brochopaga,
of biological
agent
of fungi
into simple inorganic compounds, making it Dectylella spp., Paecilomyces lilacinus, Catenaria
available to plants (Lee et al., 2008). The spp., Nepatophthora gynophilla) as natural
application of organic fertilizer on a regular basis enemies are quite effective in controlling
adding available nutrients in soil and increase the nematodes (Mustika et al., 2010).
amount of food for soil biota. The application of Utilization of local potato germplasm can be
manure is increase soil fertility, improve the done by combination of biodiversity function in
physics, chemistry and biological properties of the integrated crop management. Germplasm is
soil, also adds to the amount of food for soil used to breed the plant with the expectation of
organisms (Munnoli et al., 2010). obtaining improved varieties which are more
Land management and cultivation of organic resistence toward environmental stresses, better
potatoes are attempts to achieve the soil morphology, better physiological capabilities and
especially: (1) soil its genetic properties are better (Levy et al.,
ecosystem
stability,
symbiotic microorganisms 1995).
biodiversity;
community. Earthworm activities can increase Earthworms
the number of rizosfer bacteria of Pseudomonas, management and cultivation techniques for
can
be utilized
in
land
Bacillus, Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azosprillium, it improving soil aeration, improving soil water
improves quality of soil micro-environment; holding capacity, improve root development, and
activities of earthworms can improve growth of improving nutrient availability and soil fertility
the Rhizobacteria (Sinha et al., 2010); (3) types of (Munnoli et al., 2010).
arthropods that are able to control the balance Manure can improve the physical, chemical
of soil biology, management of organic farming and biological properties of soil, because it
can increase biodiversity of soil arthropoda
16 Indonesian Green Technology Journal.Vol. 2 No. 1, 2013
Potato Organic Farming in Batu City, Indonesia (Sugiarto, et al.) E-ISSN.2338-1787
(Gabriel, et al., 2010); (4) improvement of energy damages, residual N and P are leached into the efficiency in soil; (5) improvement of soil
surface runoff and resulted in the aquatic structure; and (6) improvement of nutrients and
pollutions (Robertson and Vitousek, 2009). energy efficiency in the agroecosystem.
This study was conducted to analyze organic Application of dairy manure to improve the
potato farming in Batu city. Development of the chemical, physical, and biological properties of
organic farming in Batu city refers to the soil; so as to improve plant growth and tuber
government agriculture development program. yield of potato (Ahmad and Quadri, 2009).
Organic farming organizations hes been set the Earthworms are able to produce a useful
production processes and vermicompost in sustainable land management
standards
of
procedures for products processing. IFOAM because it could suppress pests and plant
(International Federation of Organic Agriculture diseases. Organic matter and earthworms
Movement) has developed the quality standards stimulates the growth of antagonist bacteria and
and organic certification. Organic farming in fungi (Pasteuria penetrans, Pseudomonas spp.,
Indonesia still haven't got the full support of chitinolytic bacteria, and Trichoderma spp.),
government, researcher, farmer communities, so nematode predators of Collembola and other
that quality control and certification issues have Arthropods which selectively prey nematode
not gotten the sufficient attentions. (Thonden et al., 2006). The biological activities
Some constraints in implementing organic include biochemical, chemical, physical and
farming systems, namely: ( 1 ) any transmigran physiological processes that produce the food
pest often cause the serious damages; (2) market chain, thus contributing to improve soil fertility
of organic products is still restricted to a (Umesh et al., 2006).
particular segments; (3) organic matter in Soil bacteria of Bacillus, Pseudomonas and
potatoe lands are very limited, so have to deliver Streptomyces are the productive bioreactor in
supplies from other locations with a high cost; (4) decomposing the secondary metabolites and it is
import of organic material requires a great place functioned as a natural enemy for pathogenic
and transportation costs; (5) no competition with fungi and bacteria (Pathma et al., 2006). The
other interest in acquiring the crop residues and balance agroecosystem can support a higher land
organic wastes; (6) marketing system of organic productivity, so that the energy flows and
agriculture products not yet coordinated well; (7) nutrient cycles are more established in the strata
the price of organic products are relatively cheap; of soil organisms. Application of organic fertilizer
partners and institutional into the soil can improve nutrients biological
business
not good; (9) farmer cycles, so it is beneficial to growth and yield of
management are
perceptions toward the risks of harvesting potato tuber (Halloran et al., 1995). Potato crop
failures; (10) not all farmer understand management involves crop residues, biomass or
environmental health properly; (11) government compost, manure, and vermicompost (Arancon
policy in the development of organic agriculture et al., 2004).
not capable in creating organic farming; (12) it is Organic agriculture is one of the alternatives
difficult to change the farmer perception toward for overcoming the problem of pollution of soil,
the organic farming; ( 13 ) standardization of water and air. Critical soil condition and has
hygienic products are not yet implemented well. undergone
Healthy food needs have created a large properties, chemical and biology can be
the degradation
of
physical
market demand, so that it is required the quality reclaimed by the application of manure and
standards of healthy food in accordance with the organic material that can be decomposed rapidly
In these relations, by earthworms (Munolli et al., 2010). Pesticides
Indonesian
cultures.
development of organic farming is focused to: (1) can contaminate land and water outside the
produce a health and high quality of food location of its application (Damalas and Ilias,
products in sufficient quantities; (2) maintaining 2011). Modern intensive agriculture in fact leads
and improving soil health and its fertility; (4) to the exploitation of land resources and little
avoid commercial inputs that damages the regard for the preservation of land resources.
environment health; (5) minimizing the social and The use of chemical pesticides have a negative
ecological impacts (IFOAM, 2005). impact on the quality of the environment and
Development of organic agriculture must meet crop yields (Kleijn et al., 2009; Geiger et al.,
several requirements, including: (1) high quality 2010). Inorganic fertilizer application in potato
yields in enough quantities; (2) taking into farming at a high levels can cause environmental
account the external impacts of social, ecology,
Indonesian Green Technology Journal.Vol. 2 No. 1, 2013
E-ISSN.2338-1787 Potato Organic Farming in Batu City, Indonesia (Sugiarto, et al.)
and technology in the farm management; (3)
METHOD
enhance the biological cycle in the farming Field research was carried out for April 2012 system by involving soil microorganisms, flora,
to July 2012 in the organic potatoes center of the fauna, crop and animals; (4) agricultural systems
Batu city. Research location includes organic that are economically profitable; (5) maintaining
potato lands owned by farmers, in Subdistricts of
a crop diversity and their natural habitats; (6) Bumiaji and Junrejo, that are in the village of water efficiency and protect the aquatic
Sumber Brantas, Tulungrejo, Cangar , and ecosystem with all of its aquatic organisms; (7)
Bumiaji, at an altitude of between 900-3035 m the utilization of local renewable resources; (8)
above sea level. Geomorphology of this area is the ecological comfort for livestocks; (9) the
influenced by the Arjuno-Welirang volcanic organic products with the degradable wastes;
activities. Soil types are dominated by the (10) the fairness opportunities to produce
developing young soils, namely Andisols , organic foods (BP2HP Deptan, 2010).
Alfisols. Organic potato Knowledge and perceptions of the people
Inceptisols,
and
farmlands are high sensitive to erosion and about organic farming are very diverse, such as
degradation. About 60% of the lands are 8% the assumption that operational costs of organic
slope, so the threats of soil erosion and runoff farming are very expensive, it requires a lot of
are very high. An average air temperature of labor, back to the traditional agriculture, and
21.5°C, highest air temperature 27.2oC and crop production is low. Many problems arise
lowest air temperature 14.9oC. On average the because of lack of farmer knowledge about
air relative humidity is 86% and the wid speed is ecosystem functions, organic cultivation, so the
10.73 km/h. The annual highest rainfall in the operational costs of the organic crop production
Sub-District of Bumiaji is 2471 mm and 132 rainy is relatively expensive (BP2HP Deptan, 2010).
days.
Organic land management with multiple croping Research site selection is carried out by the regularly can increase the content of C and N in
purposive-sampling approach, i.e. locations that the soil, so that it can increase land productivity
have implemented potato organic farming. Field (Dube et al., 1969). Organic farming is more
surveys with the “Rapid Rural Appraisal” method resistant to extreme weather changes, organic
is done to collect data and informations on crop can produce
human resources, potency of land, supporting conventional crops (Pimentel et al., 2005).
a higher yield than
means in potato organic farming, wild potato Organic
species ( “Kentang Gendeng”), the quality of characterized by the application of organic
potato crop
management
is
potato production, matter, organic fertilizers and soil - water
agroecosystem, organic
impacts of conventional agricultural on organic conservation technologies to reduce soil erosion
potato farming, and marketing of organic and improve land productivity (Ashari and
potatoes.
Saptana, 2007). Planting the fast-growing species Farmer respondents are determined by “the of trees around the organic farms to produce
stratified cluster sampling ”. Stratification of more biomass. Manufacture of organic fertilizers
respondents are based on the education level of should be supplemented with decomposer
respondents, that are formal and informal microorganisms, to produce a high quality of
education ever reached. While the clusters for organic fertilizer. The use of microorganisms in
data collection are skills level and length of the co mposting of “bokashi” can accelerate the
experiences in managing an organic potato process of fermentation and mineralization of
farming. The number of farmer respondents as organic matter (Lee et al., 2008). The use of
much as 19 people spread across the four biological pesticides create opportunities for the
villages, and one person of the agriculture field utilization of local resources. Application of green
extension workers.
technologies should be supported by crop Research variables include level of formal management, crop protection and resistence
education, the mindset ability in potato farming, varieties to environmental stresses. Application
environmental knowledge, response toward the of the System of Local Potential Intensification
technological innovations, land size, slope of (SLPI) can suppress the pests and diseases
land, location of land, raw materials of organic incidences, potato crop become more resistant
manure, availability of organic seeds, wild potato, to environmental stresses, and improve potato
plant height, number of leaves, plant age, yield (Sugiarto et al., 2013).
resistance to environmental stresses, resistance to pests and diseases, the number of tuber,
18 Indonesian Green Technology Journal.Vol. 2 No. 1, 2013
Potato Organic Farming in Batu City, Indonesia (Sugiarto, et al.) E-ISSN.2338-1787
potato tuber weight, availability of organic financial capital; and (3) ability to create and use fertilizers, local crop types, biomass, land
technology (Yusdja, 2004). Organic potato land productivity,
have the hilly landforms, it requires the fertility, organic potato production, organic
agroecosystem damages,
soil
and water conservation potato quality, impacts of pesticides, the risk of
crop failure, organic potato marketing system, and prices of organic potatoes.
Table 2. Land availability for organic potato in Batu city. Organic potato crop samples as much as 5
Land slope Location plants per plot. Random sampling of plant
No.
Land area (ha)
---------- (Score) ----------- specified in the field. The data obtained are
2 0.44 3.90 subsequently analysed involving the scoring 3.63 3 0.44 3.86 3.55 system. Scoring is done in a way to categorize
0.44 3.87 3.58 data into five categories, namely: 1 = Very Bad
Average
(Vey Less); 2 = Bad (Less); 3 = Moderate; 4 = The average land size in organic potato Good; and 5 = Very good.
farming is less than 0.5 hectares, development of organic potatoes is relatively slow. This situation
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
is related to the farmer attitude in considering In the organic potato farming are many
the various risk factors in organic potato farming. factors
The impact of conventional farming to organic competencies of human resource of farmers. The
affecting the
success,
includes
potato farming is huge, especially disorders of education level of farmers (score = 3.53) average
pests and diseases. Some factors affecting of junior high school. Farmers' knowledge is still
development of organic farming of potato are: low, thereby affecting the decision-making
(1) pests and diseases which comes from process in farming activities. The mindset of
conventional land moved into organic potato potato farmers (score = of 1.89) are reflected in
land; (2) quality of the agroecosystem is decision making that are based on a traditional
unsuitable, so that farmers are reluctant to values, it is difficult to adopt any new
expand its farming; and (3) the application of innovations. In solving their problems is oftenly
pesticides and inorganic fertilizers became the instant, without considering the risk of losses.
major concern of conventional potato farmers (Ashari and Saptana, 2007).
Table 1. Human resources in organic potato farming No. Formal
Mindset Environmental Technology Score for land slope is 3.87, land with a slope
education knowledge
of 15-20%. The rolling land to organic potato ------------------------- (score) ------------------------
innovation
cultivation requires regular application of organic
1 3.53 1.63 1.73 1.47 matter.
Land
management involves the
2 3.53 1.73 1.79 2.05 application of organic fertilizer, organic mulching
3 3.52 2.31 1.73 1.68 at ground surface, soil conservation techniques, Ave
3.53 1.89 1.75 1.73 multiple cropping, intercropping, crop rotation, rage
and mixed farming (Wang et al., 2010). Location of potato land showed score of 3.58, and soil
The knowledge of farmers about the fertility is moderate (score = 3). These conditions environment have a score of 1.75, it is classified as “less knowledge about the function of land suitable for potato farming, soil as the plant
and the environment”. Organic potato land growth medium have an adequate fertility. The role of soil organic matter is the stabilization of
management should consider improvement of soil organisms. The soil is rich in organic matter agroecosystem quality and preserving local have a good aeration, the root growth can resources. The farmer attitude in adopting exploited soils for moisture and nutrients. The technological innovations have a score of 1.75, it is classified as “the acceptance level of new earthworms can be utilized in vermicomposting
innovations is relatively low”. Farmer knowledge of organic matter, it is useful in improving the physical properties, chemical and biological
and their perceptions are correlated with the properties of soils (Pathma and Sakthivel, 2012). level of education, so that cultivation of organic Raw materials of organic fertilizer shows potatoes
is considered
traditional.
The
score 1.21, the raw materials at the site are performance of farmers depends on: (1) ability to
available in a limited anount and insufficient to utilize, to solve problems, and to manage natural
supply the needs of organic fertilizer production. resources; (2) ability to access any facilities of the
Indonesian Green Technology Journal.Vol. 2 No. 1, 2013
E-ISSN.2338-1787 Potato Organic Farming in Batu City, Indonesia (Sugiarto, et al.)
Organic fertilizer needs quite a lot, so it should be of environmental quality can be done with the supplied from other regions. Organic fertilizer is
application of organic matter into the soil for beneficial to plant growth and tuber formation of
stimulating the population of antagonistic potato, improving soil structure so it facilitates
bacteria and fungi to nematodes (Trichoderma, roots penetration into the soil, so that the tuber
Pasteuria, and chitinolytic development is better. Effect of organic fertilizer
Pseudomonas,
bacteria) and mites as the natural enemies for application on potato yield are very significant
Nematophagous, Hypoaspis (Edwards et al., 2006; Halloran et al., 1995).
nematode,
i.e.
and arthropoda) (Thoden et al., 2011). Organic matter in the soil Table 3. Facilities of Organic Farming in Batu City
calcuttaensis,
Collembola
can enhance activity of earthworms and No.
Raw materials for Organic
stimulate the growth of gram-negative bacteria Fertilizer
Availability of
---------------- (score) -------------- (Elmer, 2009); the group of chitinolytic bacteria
Seeds
1 1.13 1.89 (Nocardioides
oleivorans, Streptomyces,
2 1.20 1.30 Staphylococcus) have the ability to suppress
Rhizoctonia solani,
Average
1.21 1.52 Colletotrichum coccodes, Pythium ultimum, P. capsici and Fusarium moniliforme (Yasir et al.,
The availability of organic seed potato had a
score of 1.52, it means “organic seed potato is not available”. Organic potato development
Table 5. Natural resources in organic potato land requires the availability of organic seed potato in
Availability of organic Local Biomass large quantities and it suggests a high resistence
No
Crop to environmental stresses. So far, farmers use
fertilizer
-------------------- (scor) -------------------- conventional seeds, it is very responsive to the
2 1.68 3.22 water, inorganic fertilizers and sensitive to pests 2.58 3 2.31 2.64 2.63
and diseases. Local potato varieties can still be
1.98 2.83 2.62 found on the research locations, it grows wild
Average
(“Kentang Gendeng”). These wild potatoes The availability of organic fertilizers in organic growing in the bunds or on untilled land, it is
potato farming locations has a score 1.98, this resistance to environmental stresses, pests and
means that organic fertilizer is still “very less” to diseases.
supply the needs. This is a serious constraint in The majority of potato land have suggested
land management and organic potato farming. any symptoms of degradation due to the
The health and fertile soil indicate a dynamic application of intensive farming practices.
agroecosystem and the high soil biodiversity. The Modern intensive agricultural practices can
positive effect of organic fertilizer on soil can damage land resources and less considering land
increase diversity of arthropods (Hendrickx et al., sustainability
2007; Rundlof et al., 2010). Local plants in degradation of potato agroekositem had an
(Kleijn et
organic potato land shows a score of 2.83, it negative impact on organic potato land which
means that ‘many kinds of local plants are was in the vicinity. The scarcity of beneficial
available’. A variety local plants producing leaves insects, predators, local microorganisms, due to
can be used as raw material in the production of the serious environmental stresses, resulted in
organic fertilizers. Application of crop residues the agroecosystem is not able to recover itself.
into the soil can improve nutrient availability for The use of chemical pesticides excessively
plants. Planting legume can supply amount of induced the negative impact on plant and its
nitrogen into the soil through the N2 fixation, this environment (Geiger et al., 2010). Improvements
biomass can be used as organic fertilizer.
Table 4. Description of the wild- potato (“Gendeng Potato”)
“Gendeng Potato”
Production Height
Plant Leaves
Age
Resistence
Tuber Tuber weight (cm)
number g/plant 65 Smaller than
16-18 100-250 highyield variety
Growing periode
4-5 months
environment
Source: Leader of Organic Farmer Group in Batu city (Mr.Marsudi), 2012.
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Potato Organic Farming in Batu City, Indonesia (Sugiarto, et al.)
Application of biomass into the soil can increase soil organic matter content and improve soil drainage and aeration, are able to suppress pests and diseases, and improve the crop yield (Ebenezar et al., 2006). Biomass in the organic potato land shows score 2.62, this means the availability of biomass is considered “sufficient”.
Application of biomass into the soil can improve soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, soil structure become better, quality humus is better, so the crop can more efficiently use water (Pimentel et al., 2005).
Table 6. Quality of organic potato agroecosystem No
Land Productivity
Agroecosystem Degradation
Soil Fertility
------------------- (score) -------------------
Land productivity showed a score of 4.24, soil fertility is included in the category “productive”. Land productivity can decline if the management
of farming does not consider its sustainability. Effects of application of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides is a degradation of agroecosystem qualities. The potato agroecosystem showed a score of 1.88, it suggests that condition of agroecosystems “have been degraded”. This
damage is believed to be caused by the inappropriate application of agrotechnologies, fallacy of farmers in managing the plant. Ecosystem degradation suggests a negative impacts on the productivity of land. The application of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers in excess has adverse effects on the plant and the environment (Kleijn et al., 2009; Geiger et al., 2010).
A high production
orientation
have
encouraged the excess use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, so it becomes a trigger for degradation of soil fertility. Soil fertility has a score of 1.85, the degree of soil fertility in
organic potato land is considered to be “low”. Agricultural practices for the improvement of soil fertility are application of a high quality of organic matter (compost), in order to supply the crop nutrients needs (Warman et al., 2009).
Implementation of multiple cropping and intercropping of legumes and potatoes are expected to produce nitrogen-rich biomass, thus reducing cost of nitrogen fertilizer (Bruns et al., 2006). Integrated crop management with the
eco-friendly organic agriculture can improve population of the insect pollinators and it improve agroecosystem (Batary et al., 2010).
Table 7. Potency of Organic Potato Production No
Production of organic potato Granola
cultivar
Atlantic cultivar
Tuber quality
------ (ton/ha) ----
--- (score) --- 11.12 12.16 3.36 2 11.25 12.52 3.31 3 11.14 12.51 3.79
Average 11.17 12.43 3.82
Potato Cv. Granola organically grown can produce tubers about 11.28 tonnes/ha, whereas the Cv. Atlantic produce tubers of 12.43 tonnes/ha. These tuber yield is lower in comparison with the conventional potato, however the organic potato is considered more healthy. Organic potato production is low due to low soil fertility, so it needed the technologies that can improve soil fertility. The application of organic fertilizer on a regular basis can increase the soil biodiversity (Bengtsson et al., 2005). A dynamic biodiversity in the soil can enhance improvement of soil ecosystems (Gabriel et al., 2010). The quality of organic potato shows the score of 3.82, it suggests a high quality of tuber. Potato quality is considered good because during the process of crop production does not use any pesticides, so it is considered safe to eat. In the development of its preferences, the potato consumers no longer buy the cheap agricultural products, but they buy any agricultural products which its attributes are more complete, with a guarantee of quality, healthy and free from pesticide residues.
The government should be able to create policy on the healthy environment certification that ties all of the domestic agricultural products (Adnyana, 2005). Low production of organic potato is becoming a challenge for all stakeholders of organic potato to improve the agricultural productivity. This can be done by way of improving the quality of organic potato- ecosystem, so the potato crop more resistant to pests and diseases and are more resistant to environmental stresses. Application of organic matter into the potato land can increase the content of humic acid, fulvic acid, humus and available nutrients; so as to improve plant growth and yield of potato tuber (Sinha et al., 2010). Conventional agrotechnologies have been implemented along years ago, and it suggested any negative impacts on the quality of land
E-ISSN.2338-1787 Potato Organic Farming in Batu City, Indonesia (Sugiarto, et al.)
resources. Excessive pesticide application in the consider the aspects of ecology, technology, potato crop management have resulted in
economics and social. It is expected to control serious
pests and diseases, improve biodiversity and environmental health. Land management in the
with the relatively low cost. conventional potatoes also had an negative
biocontrol
Vermicompost applications can induce soil impact on declining biodiversity (Tscharntke et
and supports the al., 2005).
microbial
diversity
development of antagonistic bacteria to become effective agents for control the phytopathogenic
Table 8. Impacts of conventional farming at the organic fungi (Scheuerell et al., 2005; Singh et al., 2008). potato land
Impact of pesticide application on the No
predator population in the potato agroecosystem impact
Pesticides Harvest
Pest &
Impacts
is very significant. At this point it's hard to find a ----------------------- (scor) -------------------------
risks
diseases
on Predator
predator in potato land, it due to the high rate of
1 1.42 3.93 4.42 2.92 mortality caused by the pesticides. Decrease in
2 1.33 3.95 4.44 2.75 the number of predators showed a score of 2.80,
3 1.63 3.83 4.61 2.73 this indicates that the rate of predator extinction Average
1.46 3.87 4.47 2.80 is quite high (40-59%). This predator extinction resulted in the potato agroecosystem is not able
The impact of pesticide application on the to support the sustainable potato farming. The quality of the soil showed a score of 1.46, this
predator role is very important in creating a means the soil is considered “infertile”. Decrease
natural balance. Some types of insects, such as in soil fertility can be caused by a decline in the
spiders and bees are functioned as agents of population of bacteria, fungi and other beneficial
environmental change in the tropics, as well as animals due to pesticide residues. Intensive
the pollinators and the natural enemies, so it cropping systems resulting in agroecosystem
becomes a environmental stabilizing agents become unstable, because the application of
(Billeter et al., 2008; Vandewalle et al., 2010). inorganic fertilizers and pesticides is excessive for
crop management (Kristiansen et al., 2006). Table 9. Markerting of Organic Potato Degradation of soil fertility and agroecosystem
Price Price of have been impacted on declining of the soil
No
Marketing
Stabilization Organic microorganism services in supporting soil
system
Potato qualities, it is impacted on the lower crop
------------------------ (score) ------------------------- production.
2 2.45 1.64 Risks in potato organic farming showed a 3.43 3 2.23 1.53 3.22
score of 3.87, it reflects that potato organic
2.34 1.54 3.24 farming suggests a very great risk of failure.
Aver
age
Utilization of plant-based pesticides and
biopesticides are expected can reduce the risk of Organic agricultural products marketing potato failure. Soil microorganisms on a dynamic
system shows score 2.34, it suggests “not agroecosystem can function optimally as a
enough” marketing system. Marketing of organic bioreactor, such as Bacillus, Pseudomonas and
potatoes is still not able to satisfy the Streptomyces, in decomposing the secondary
expectations of organic potato farmer. Organic metabolites and acts as a predator for several
potato demand in the market is still relatively types of fungal and bacterial pathogens (Pathma
small. Network marketing of organic potatoes et al., 2006). On the conditions of the degraded
have not been well-organized, it is still partial. agroecosystem, risks of the potato damages are
Stability of organic potatoes price shows score very great. Soil fertility has a close relationship
1.54, it means “unstable selling price”. Organic with the health of the potato crop. The infertile
potato demand is still limited, so some of organic growing media makes the plant does not have a
potato is sold with a standard price of strong antibodies in overcoming environmental
conventional potato. Organic potato prices had a stresses, pests and diseases.
score 3.24, the organic potato prices is twice Disorders of crop of pests and diseases in
higher than the price of conventional potato. The organic potatoes showed a score of 4.47, this
price of organic potatoes is highly prospective for means disorders to potato crop are “very much”.
increasing income of the organic potato farmer. Potato integrated crop management should
The
empowerment
activities toward the
22 Indonesian Green Technology Journal.Vol. 2 No. 1, 2013
Potato Organic Farming in Batu City, Indonesia (Sugiarto, et al.) E-ISSN.2338-1787
Netherlands: Springer dissemination of the meanings of sustainable
commercial farming of organic potato are (1)
Dordrecht,
Science+Business Media B.V. agriculture; (2) improvement capabilities of the
Brown, G.G., Barois, I., Lavelle. P., 2000. organic farmer groups in the partnership of
Regulation of soil organic matter dynamics agribusiness; and (3) development of the market
and microbial activity in the drilosphere and information
the role of interactions with other edaphic Supporting activities in empowering organic
centre for
organic potatoes.
functional domains. Eur.Journal. Soil Biol potato farmer are: (1) training of individual and
36:177-198
farmer groups; (2) empowerment of farmer Bengtsson, J., Ahnström, J., Weibull, A.-C., 2005. groups through the professional institutional
The Effects of Organik Agriculture on strengthening (farmer's cooperative, cooperative
Biodiversity and Abundance: A Meta-Analysis. of agribusiness, Association of organic potato
J. Appl. Ecol. 42: 261 –269. farmer); and (3) empowerment of the extension
Bruns, C., Finckh, M.R., Schulte-Gelderman E., agencies (Saptana et al., 2005)
2006. Challenges To Organik Potato Farming: Diesease and Nutrient Mangement Springer
CONCLUSION
49: 27-42
Organic potato farming systems in Batu city Billeter, R., Liira, J., Bailey, D., Bugter, R., Arens, are characterized by: (1) quality of organic potato
P., Augenstein, I., Aviron, S., Baudry, J., agroecosystem have
Bukacek, R., Burel, F., Cerny, M., De Blust, G., improvement of the agroecosystem quality
been
degraded; (2)
De Cock, R., Diekötter, T., Dietz, H., Dirksen, requires the public policy that is tight and binding
J., Dormann, C., Durka, W., Frenzel, M., all stakeholders of organic potato farming; (3)
Hamersky, R., Hendrickx, F., Herzog, F., Klotz, sustainable organic potato farming requires the
S., Koolstra, B., Lausch, A., Le Coeur, D., support of local governments, the business
Maelfait, J.P., Opdam, P., Roubalova, M., community and the local communities in solving
Schermann, A., Schermann, N., Schmidt, T., the farming problems; (4) the market institutions,
Schweiger, O., Smul-ders, M.J.M., Speelmans, marketing partnerships and marketing networks
M., Simova, P., Verboom, J., van Wingerden, must be empowered.
W.K.R.E., Zobel, M., Edwards, P.J., 2008. Indicators for Biodiversity in Agricultural
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