Self-Sufficientcy Achievement and Using Export Opportunities

Besides as the staple food of more than 95% citizens, paddy also becomes the source of income for 25 million farmer households, thus it is not surprising if production fluctuation and rice distribution also influence the national stability.

Various efforts to increase the paddy production that are continuously carried out, for instance the presence of P2BN program, technological disseminations, subsidy of agricultural production facilities, and control of price and export have resulted in the increase of paddy production amounting 4.7% in 2007 and 5.6% in 2008, thus rice self-sufficiency can be attained again.

Surplus of the national rice production should be maintained so that the export opportunity can be realized. Meanwhile, Indonesia is rich in superior varieties possessing peculiarity to compete at the international market. Research and research result dissemination significantly support the success in increasing the rice production including reaching the export opportunity.

Indonesian Center for Rice Research (ICRR) is the largest national public institution in Indonesia conducting paddy research with vision as a foremost research and technology resources capable of producing paddy technologies in line with the user needs. In order to realize the vision, ICRR has mission such as producing and engineering paddy plant innovative technologies for the national development according the need dynamism of the users.

RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DISSEMINATIONS

The management of Paddy Genetic Resources

Paddy germ plasma is the genetic source of various required characters as the principle substance for engineering superior varieties. The activities in managing paddy genetic resources comprise exploration, conservation, rejuvenation, and characterization. Conservation is carried out by storing germ plasma seed in a room at < 5^oC and periodically rejuvenation is conducted in the field.

Characterization was carried out on the morphological and physiological properties, physics-chemical quality, resistance to pests and diseases, and tolerance to abiotic environmental dibbles. In this activity, 28 local varieties quite tolerant to salinity dibble at the level 12 ds/m, 7 super early yielding varieties (85-94 dap), 8 varieties tolerant to drought dibble, 27 varieties tolerant to low temperature were selected. The characterization results of the germ plasma were documented in data base containing 2250 accessions. In the framework of international collaboration INGER (International Network for Genetic Evaluation), the populations of IRBBN (resistant to BLB), IRBPHN (resistant to brown planthopper), IRSSTN (resistant to salinity dibble), IRCTN (tolerant to low temperature), AERON (aerobic paddy), IRLON (irrigated rice field paddy), and IRDTN (tolerant to drought dibble) were evaluated. The test results of germ plasma against BB (Bacterial Blight) show that there are 8 accessions that are quite resistant and resistant to BB (Rembang, Genjah Wewe, Jembar, Keriting, Ketan Garut, Kandu Kuranji and Gembang) and Sekemiling only reacts resistant against potpie III and IV but susceptible to pathotype VIII.

The Engineering of Superior Paddy Varieties

In increasing the national paddy production, the role of technological innovation for superior varieties is very significant. In the last five years, two main programs for improving paddy varieties are the improvement of yield stability (by improving the resistant properties of varieties against the biotic and abiotic environmental dibbles) and the improvement of yield potency (by engineering hybrid and new type paddy).

From 2005 to 2009, ICRR has released 20 new superior varieties, i.e. Ciasem (2005), Sarinah and Aek Sibundong (2006), HIPA 5 Ceva and HIPA 6 Jete (2007), INPARI 1, INPARI 2, INPARI 3, INPARI 4, INPARI 5 MERAWU, INPARI 6 JETE, INPARA 1, INPARA 2, INPARA 3 (2008) as well as INPARI 7, INPARI 8, INPARI 9, INPAR 10 Laeya, Hipa 7 and Hipa 8 (2009). Since 2007 the name HIPA has been given for hybrid paddy, INPARI for irrigated rice field paddy, and INPARA for swampy paddy. Those varieties possess specific qualities such as resistant to pests and main diseases, early yielding age (INPARI 1), red rice (AEK SIBUNDONG), sticky rice (CIASEM), good for upland soil (SARINAH), and one new type superior variety (INPARI 6 JETE), as well as water economical (INPARI 10 LAEYA). In the beginning of 2009 efforts have been carried out to engineer superior paddy varieties that are very early yielding (95-104 dap) up to ultra early yielding (<85 dap) that are expected to be used in the four time annually paddy planting program (Paddy PI 400).

Integrated Plant and Resource Management, SL-IPRM, P3T, and Paddy PI 400

In agronomic sector, the problems of plant physiologies, soil fertility, and nutrient management obtain priorities. Research activities such as photosynthate remobilization (sink and source relationship), the improvement of efficient nutrient management, and the engineering of conservation agricultural system are expected to be capable of supporting the potency performance of superior varieties and decreasing instability, thus they can support the production continuity.

The IPRM model intensification provides significant yield improvement through the Integrated Paddy Productivity Improvement Program. The Integrated Paddy-Livestock System (Crop Livestocks System), the Integrated Agribusiness Institutional Development, and PRIMATANI are spread in regencies of various provinces. In 2008 Directorate General of Food crops developed IPRM through SL-IPRM with an area of 1.585 million ha (1.5 million ha inbreed and 85730 ha hybrid) rice field area. The area of SL-IPRM in 2009 is planed to be 2.05 million ha (2.,0 million ha inbreed and 50 thousand ha hybrid) the top activity in the form of SL-IPRM Jamboree was carried out in Boyolali, Central Java on 25-28 May 2009.

The IPRM technological components can be grouped into: (1) basic technological component (compulsory), i.e. technological components that are relatively can be generally valid for wide areas, and (2) selected technological component, i.e. having more location specific character. Among the compulsory technological components are: (1) Modern varieties (new superior varieties, hybrid paddy, new type paddy), (2) Good quality and healthy seedling, (3) Efficient fertilizing (using BWD and PUTS/omission portion/Permentan No. 40/OT.140/4/2007, or soft ware SIPAPUKDI), and (4) PHT in line with OPT target. meanwhile those included in selected technological components are: (1) Plant management comprising population and planting method (legowo, tegel, etc), (2) Seedling age, (3) Organic substances/manure/ameliorant, (4) Soil aeration improvement (alternating irrigation), (5) Liquid fertilizers (PPC, organic fertilizer, bio fertilizer)/ZPT, and micro fertilizer), and (6) Harvest handling and post harvest. At certain condition, selected technological components can become compulsory if they are definitely required to overcome principle problems in certain areas.

PI400 is based on the thought to maximize the intensity of paddy harvest at certain areas in a year. Various technological components such as superior varieties with ultra yielding age, the shifting pattern of varieties, production technologies, plant protection, harvesting and post harvest need to be prepared to support PI400. Besides the availability of water for irrigation as well as pest and disease problems, the availability of superior paddy varieties with ultra early yielding (<85 dap) that can be planted for four seasons annually is the main factor of the PI400 success.

Pi400 general guidelines has been published and PI Paddy 400 trials was started in the second Planting Time of 2009 (January/February 2009) in Sukamandi, Pusakanegara, Muara, Maros, Kendalpayak, and Pasar Miring. Each was carried out in an area of 1.2 ha with the planting of 0.3 ha for each variety. Several varieties tied were Silugonggo, Ciherang, Inpari1, and Dodokan.

PI400 receives a lot of interests and visits from various parties such as farmers, farmer contact, extension officials, and decision makers from various regions. The "Open House" event of Beans and Tuber Plants Research Institute conducted on 3-4 June 2009 also exhibited the PI400 paddy research.

Pest and Disease Control

Paddy pests and diseases are one of the obstacles causing not maximal the yield potency actualized. The control of paddy pest and diseases is carried out using an integrated pest control (IPM) concept. The use of resistant varieties is one component of IPC that is cheap and does not pollute the environment. Research to support the production of pest and disease resistant varieties are continuously conducted. Moreover, research on strain or biotype changes are carried out to determine suitable varieties. Researches on the biotic and phytoplant control are carried out to complete the available IPC technologies. At present research are focused on the main pests and diseases such as brown planthopper, stem borers, rats, bacterial leaf blight, and blast.

Tests on the resistances of varieties, promising lines, and germ plasma accession against the main paddy pests and diseases are continuously done. Test on three brown planthopper biotypes identify that IR6888 A/CRS117 (hybrid), Pulut Lewok, Ketan Ulis, BP4130-1f-13-3-2, BP4188-7f-2-2, and BP2870-4e-Kn-22-2-1-5 are resistant to brown planthopper biotype 3. Tests on tungro disease identify approximately 100 genotypes are resistant to tungro disease, for instance BP4232-1f-2-1-2, Deli, and IR 79128A line. Tests on bacterial leaf blight (BLB) show that the resistant genotype is biotypes IV (Aceh-Aceh, Abang, B11823-MR-1-8-3, and B11823-MR-1-22-1) and IV and VIII together (BP 4132-7f-Kn-2-2-3, BP4132-7f-Kn-6-3-3, BP4132-7f-Kn-13-1-3, BP 4740-4f-Kn-20-1-2, BP 4740-4f-Kn-20-2-2, BP4740-5f-Kn-4-1-2, B11823-MR-1-2-1, and B11823-MR-1-2-2).

Research on the biological control of pests and diseases and the use of plant substances are continuously conducted and found out Trichogramma armigera for stem borers , castor oil seeds (Ricinus communis) for rats, sambilata (Andrographis paniculata Ness.) and fungus M anisoplia for wereng hijau which is a tungro virus vector , and saponine for keong mas (Pamaceacanaliculata Lamark). Integrated rat control by combining TBS (Trap Barrier System), smoking process, and hand picking continuously conducted is proved to be effective.

The test results for brown planthopper biotypes in 2006 show that brown planthopper colonies coming from Indramayu and Cirebon (West Java), Demak and Pati (Central Java), Lamongan and Tuban (East Java) , and OKU (South Sumatra) are brown planthopper biotype 3. Brown planthoppers from North Sumatra are the combination of biotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4, while those from Maros (South Sulawesi) are the combination of biotypes 2 and 3. Researches on dominant isolates were carried out and it as found out that isolates III, IV, and VIII are still dominant in Java. The severity of BLB disease is influenced by planting time, paddy varieties, and paddy plant stadia. Based on the research on capability variations of tungro spread among the colonies, virulence among inoculums sources from various regions, and the variation and mechanism of changes for tungro inoculums ineffectiveness, it is recommended that Tukad Petanu Variety is suitable for all endemic regions in Java and Bali, while Utri Merah, Utri Rajapan, Habiganj and ARC can be used in almost all locations.

Harvesting and Post-harvest, Functional Rice, and Paddy Flavor Analysis Laboratory

Researches for post harvest are emphasized on the efforts to suppress yield loss and improve the yield quality. The reduction of loss from 18.8% to 3.8% can be performed by improving group system paddy harvesting and paddy husking using husking machine. If the techniques mentioned are implemented in 50% of the national harvesting area, around 3.1 million tons dried unshelled paddy (DUP) of the harvested yield or about 7.75 quintillion rupiahs can be saved.

Researches to maintain the yield quality are carried out for drying, milling, and storing techniques. Drying by using a dryer with 50 cm thickness at 42^oC will result in good quality rice with less than 15% broken rice. From the researches on packaging materials for storing it was found out that High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE) and High Density Poly Propylene (HDPP) are the good substances.

ICRR has released varieties possessing low glycemic index, i.e. Cisokan (34), Margasari (39), IR36 (45), Logawa (49), Martapura (50), Air Tenggulang (50), Batang Lembang (54), Ciherang (54) and Aek Sibundong (56). The rice is needed by people suffering from hyperglycemia (diabetes mellitus). Aek Sibundong variety has other advantages, i.e. high concentrations of anthocyanin, folic acid, and digestible fiber, thus it is useful as anti oxidant and to prevent cancer, heart attack, and senility. The increases on mineral and vitamin contents have been carried out by engineering paddy varieties with high iron and zinc concentrations to suppress the prevalence of Iron Nutrient Anemia and zinc deficiency. Line BP9452F-12-1-B containing 6.8-9.2 ppm iron and 20-26 ppm zinc is ready to be released as a new variety.

ICRR Flavor Laboratory was officially opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the Third National Paddy Event on 24 July 2008. ICRR Flavor Laboratory was built with the international standard lay out and instruments with facilities such as GCMS autosampler, GCMS-O, GC-O-PFC, Texture Analyzer, and Spectrometer UV-Vis. At present the Flavor Analysis Laboratory has actively operated and analyzed both foodstuff and non foodstuff, including the identification of volatile compound in 26 rice varieties, organoleptic tests (260 samples), analysis of roasted duck aroma (22 samples), pesticide residues (38 samples), FAME biofuel (11 samples), soil fenoleic acid (2 samples), durian flavor (36 samples), vanillin flavor (8 samples), and volatile components in paper (13 samples). The Flavor Analysis Laboratory is also open to analyze pesticide residue, aromatic hydrocarbon in petroleum, biofuel, melamine, antioxidant, volatile oil, and other chemical analyses. It also provides consultation services for flavor, and carries out collaborations with tertiary educational, research, and industrial institutions.

Improving Paddy Competitiveness by Primary Processing Technological Innovation

Improving the competitiveness is carried out through paddy post harvest technologies, efficiency on seedling production process, and the increase of nutrient contents such as vitamin B1 (thiamin), B3 (niacin), B2 (riboflavin), B6 (pyridoxine) vitamin B12 (cobalamin), pantothenic acid, folic acid and anthocyanin, mineral (Fe and Zn), and glycemic index.

Research and Development of Seed Production Management

To improve the effectiveness of quality control and the availability of stock seed from paddy VUB, since 2006 BSPU ICRR Breeder Seed Production Unit (UPBS, Indonesia) has carried out 5 activities, i.e.: (1) Developing paddy plant breeder seed database and foundation seed distribution (2) Empowering human resources and facilities of Paddy BSPU (3) Developing Quality Management System (QMS) based on ISO 9001:2001 in producing breeder seed, (4) Producing breeder seed by implementing QMS, (5) Developing technological transfer network, as well as producing and distributing breeder seed.

Since 2005 BSPU has started the implementation of quality management system in seed production in line with the ISO 9001:2000 requirements , in 2006 it is initially implemented in producing paddy BS (Breeder Seed), and in 2007 it was accredited ISO 9001. The performance of BSPU improves by implementing ISO 9001, for instance production increase (Figures 1 and 2), production efficiency ±3.78 t/ha, and drastic decrease of consumer complaints (1 complaint for May 2007-April 2009). Developing technology transfer network for paddy breeder stock production and distribution was carried out by BSPU - ICRR in 2006 (10 AIATs) and in 2007 (10 AIATs).

NUSU (new, unique, stable, and uniform) test were carried out in 15 superior varieties adopted by a lot farmers and having a lot of characteristic similarities. The research results show that the 15 varieties tested in majority have character similarities out of the 55 characteristics stated by UPOV standard. Meanwhile, from the laboratory researches on more than 100 paddy varieties the seed morphological and physiological characteristics and effective method to fracture dormancy were identified. ICRR has also made a room-type germinator and at present it is in the stage of submission to obtain the patent number. Research on making standard paper in quality testing have found out paper prototype close to the physical-chemical properties of the standard paper, but it still needs improvement for one of the chemical paper properties, and scale-up production has not been conducted.

Partnership Base Research

Researches based on partnerships involving topics requested are performed by ICRR through collaborations with research institutions, tertiary educational institutions, Regional Governments, and related private companies both at nationally and internationally to develop agricultural agro-input required in paddy farm enterprises. One of the international collaboration is the testing and exchanging paddy genetic substances through international through INGER and the improvement of paddy productivity in various sub-optimal ecosystems (dry, rain dependent land, tidal/swampy land).

RESEARCH RESULT DISEMINATION

The Availability of Superior Varieties and Seeds

Nowadays it is estimated that 90% of rice field areas are already planted with superior varieties. ICRR survey results show that only 22 varieties that have planting areas reach more than 2,000 ha per season, even 7 out of those varieties have been planted in an area >50,000 ha per season, with a spreading speed of >100,000 ha/year. Rice field superior varieties like Ciherang, Cigeulis, Cibogo, Way Apo Buru, and Memberamo have been planted widely by farmers (Table 1), replacing IR64 that was developed since 1980s. Planting those varieties provides a yield increase of 0.2-0.5 t/ha compared to the planting of previous variety, i.e. IR64.

Among the popular varieties nowadays, Ciherang dominates more than 40% of the area. This is a risky matter related to pest-disease explosion if planted continuously. Therefore, the dissemination of other varieties such as Cibogo, Cigeulis, and Mekongga needs to be accelerated to improve the diversity of genetic varieties used. The increase on variety diversity used provides advantages in the forms of the flexibility to choose according to taste in addition to suppress the opportunity for pest insect or disease explosion.

Table 1. Percentage of paddy variety dissemination in Indonesia in the period 2003-2007.

Source: ICRR, 2008.

* numbers in ( ) in the last columns show the ranks.

The Third National Paddy Event (JULY 2008)

The third National Paddy Event (NPE III) was carried out on 21 -26 July 2008 at Indonesian Center for Rice Research, with a theme "Paddy Technology Innovation to anticipate the Global Climate Changes to Support Food Sustainability". NPE III was prepared with the following activities: (1) Outdoor exhibition, (2) Indoor exhibition, (3) Seminar, Discussion, and Business Meetings, (4) Paddy cultural carnival, Paddy drawing competition, and quest contest, and (5) Bazaar and Entertainments.

The materials prepared are indoor exhibition concerning agriculture for paddy in irrigated rice field, paddy in marshes, soaking resistant paddy, paddy tolerant to salinity, and paddy for dry field. From those materials, various research displays focused on supporting the NPE III theme were made. The exhibition put forward 75 research titles/displays consisting of 25 from DIPA ICRR, 23 from the scope of IAARD, 24 from private companies, and 3 from other services. .

The third National Paddy Event in 2008 was attended and opened by the President of the Republic of Indonesia and attended by Ministers and related Echelon I officials, and IRRI functionaries. Other participants are national and international paddy agribusiness stakeholders. The visitors recorded reached more than 33,000 people from the agricultural decision makers of Provincial, Regional, Municipal Services, farmers, agricultural observers, private sector, and communities.

NPE III was equipped with seminars performed on 23-24 July 2008, presenting guest speakers from IRRI, FAO and local ones. For the supporting papers, 150 tiles discussing National paddy matters were submitted.

RESEARCH COLABORATIONS AND RESOURCES

Research Collaborations

Research and Technological Transfer Collaborations were carried out for commercial and non commercial (public domain) orientations in line with ICRR mandate as a public institution in addition to enhance the fund rise and cost recovery as well as the Non-Tax State Income. ICRR actively maintain research Collaborations with various collaborative partners both locally and internationally (Table 2), such as research and technological transfer of hybrid paddy and improvement/development of local varieties.

Table 2. Total collaborative research and budget for 2005 2009

Resources and Facilities

The total number of government officials at ICRR decreased from 355 in 2005 to 331 in May 2009. ICRR has 18 doctors (four of them are research professors) and 24 Masters, besides the bachelors, Diploma 3, Senior High School down to Elementary School graduates. Based on the ages, the majority (35%) is 51-55 years old, while based on position; ICRR has 79 (24%) researchers (Figure 3). ICRR possesses facilities such as four experimental fields (in Sukamandi, Bogor, Pusaka Negara, and Kuningan) with a total area of 324.44 ha, 26 green houses, and laboratories (Proximate, Seed Quality, Rice and Unshelled paddy Quality, Soil and Plant Nutrient, Biological past and Disease, and Plant Biological Tests). The first three laboratories have been accredited ISO 17025:2005.

Figure 3. ICCR Human Resources Proportion in 2009

Note: Education: S3 = PhD,S2 = Master,S1 = Bachelor,AMD = Diploma 3
SLTS/SLTP/SD + SHS/JHS/ES
Position:
Petugas kebersihan = cleaning staff ,Peneliti= researchers, Satpam= securities
Pembantu Lapang = Field Assistants, Administrasi= Administrative Staff, Arsiparis = Archives Staff, Pustakawan = Librarian, Teknisi = Technicians

FUTURE PROJECTION

Several obstacles that will be encountered in the future are the conversion of rice field areas, limited water resources, global climate changes in the forms of drought, flood, and higher temperature, increase of pest and disease infestation and damages of a lot of agricultural infrastructures, limited young agricultural manpower in villages, lack of economic incentives for paddy farm enterprise agents due to small scale business, price increases of agricultural production facilities and machinery, and limited access for farmers to obtain credit for business capital.

As a future step, the effort to increase the paddy production in Indonesia will be carried out by improving productivity, planting index, and optimizing the use of rain dependent rice fields, dry land, and tidal marshes. For that purpose, innovations for paddy assembling and engineering technologies are prioritized supported by systematic and directed planning, synergy among ICRR and other related institutions, both within and outside IAARD , professional human resource, and the establishment of sufficient and continuous research facilities accompanied by transparent, effective, and efficient operational management, hence agricultural technology innovations can rapidly reach the final users especially in villages.

It is expected that by these efforts Food Self-sufficiency, Farmer Welfare, Research Appreciation, Healthy Paddy Production System, Integrated Paddy Farm Enterprise Model, Production Increase and Yield Stability, the Increase of Suboptimal land Productivity, Efficiency, and Production, the Improvement of Rice Nutrient Quality (Bio-fortification), Anticipation on Climate Anomalies and the Improvement of PI 400 Paddy, the Existence in the Domestic and Global Markets, and the aim of Millennium Development Goal MGD) can be realized in Indonesia.