The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) has implemented a swampland optimization program of 25 hectares (ha) for the Jaya Farmers Group in Gunung Marijo Village, Pinangsori District, Central Tapanuli Regency (Tapteng), North Sumatra (Sumut). The program aims to boost the cropping index and/or agricultural productivity in Tapteng Regency. Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo said the optimization of swamp land is expected to contribute to efforts to increase agricultural production in Indonesia. "There are two things that are targeted through the program, namely productivity and farmer welfare. The optimization of swamp land is beneficial for the agricultural sector and the farmers themselves," said Syahrul in a press release received by Kompas.com, Sunday (22/5/2022). On the same occasion, the Director General (Dirjen) of Agricultural Infrastructure and Facilities (PSP) of the Ministry of Agriculture Ali Jamil added, the potential for increasing the cropping index and or agricultural productivity through optimization of swamp land is not impossible. Ali is optimistic that the maximized land potential can have an effect on increasing the cropping index and/or productivity can be realized. "Indonesia has a swamp land potential of 33.4 million ha. Even so, there are a number of obstacles to realize the swampland optimization program," said Ali. Ali explained that these obstacles are the low level of land fertility, high soil acidity, and a fluctuating water regime that causes high waterlogging during floods or high tides. In addition, the silting of drought during the dry season is also a challenge.
"Another obstacle faced is land and water infrastructure which are still very limited and not functioning optimally. On the other hand, the cost of farming swamp land is also high," explained Ali. Ali added that the low productivity of plants in swampy areas was due to the lack of water supply to the rice fields and dolomite fertilizer to fertilize the land. That way, swamp land can be maximized with a better system. “Efforts are needed to optimize agricultural land in swamps by optimizing agriculture in swamps to become productive agricultural land. The way is through the arrangement of the water and land system," said Ali. Meanwhile, Director of Land Expansion and Protection Erwin Noorwibowo explained that the swampland optimization program is focused on improving land and water infrastructure. In this way, farmers are expected to be able to maximize their cultivation on swampy agricultural land. "With priority on micro-water system improvement activities, rehabilitation or construction of floodgates, construction or improvement of other infrastructure in swamps, as well as improving the quality or fertility of swampland," said Erwin.
