IPB PSL Alumni Association and Directorate General of Food Crops Discuss Organic Rice Business Development Strategy

The Alumni Association of Natural Resources and Environmental Management (HA PSL) IPB University in collaboration with the Directorate General (DG) of Food Crops, Ministry of Agriculture RI held a webinar entitled 'Organic Rice Business Development Strategy' online, some time ago. 

The guest speaker was Ikmaludin MSi, an expert from HA PSL IPB University who explained the importance of organic farming, especially rice, to support a healthier nation.

"Organic rice farming is basically no different from rice farming in the implementation of intensification. The difference is only in the selection of varieties, the use of fertilizers and pesticides," he said.

In Ikmaludin's view, organic farming can become a lifestyle or national trend towards the need for a healthy lifestyle in an environmentally friendly manner. According to him, this movement needs to be encouraged continuously to make agriculture healthier in the future.

He explained that rice varieties that are suitable for organic farming are natural varieties and those that have good resistance to pests and diseases, such as rojolele, mentik and pandan.

"To make the results of organic farming, the seeds that will be used must also come from organic seeds. Engineered seeds cannot be used for a pure organic farming system," he said.

Ikmaludin explained that the advantages of organic farming include healthy plants, free from active chemicals and residues, both from pesticides and fertilizers. In addition, the produce will be healthier. Organic farming is also able to preserve nature and balance the ecosystem.

Hanif Yusuf, SP from Forum Wacana IPB University also discussed marketing strategies in rice business development. The step is to identify and evaluate the opportunities of organic rice from regional and national segments from the social, economic and trend scopes. Then analyze market segments and select target markets, plan and implement marketing campaigns and analyze performance.

"This step is needed so that organic rice can be competitive with conventional rice in terms of sales cost coverage. This is so that organic rice is more acceptable to the public because it is usually more expensive than conventional rice," he said. (MW/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)