Agroecological Nutrient Management Strategy for Attaining Sustainable Rice Self-Sufficiency in Indonesia

Abstract

Rice self-sufficiency is central to Indonesia’s agricultural development, but the country is increasingly challenged by population growth, climate change, and arable land scarcity. Agroecological nutrient management offers solutions though optimized fertilization, enhanced organic matter and biofertilizer utilizations, and improved farming systems and water management. Besides providing enough nutrients for crops, the agroecological approach also enhances resilience to climate change, reduces the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions, and improves the biological functions of rice soil. Organic and bio fertilizers can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. For example, blue-green algae may contribute 30–40 kg N ha−1, while the application of phosphate solubilizing microbes can reduce the use of chemical phosphorous fertilizers by up to 50 percent. The country currently experiences substantial yield gaps of about 37 percent in irrigated and 48 percent in rain-fed rice. Achieving self-sufficiency requires that Indonesia accelerates annual yield growth through agroecological nutrient management from a historical 40 kg ha−1 year−1 to 74 kg ha−1 year−1. The aim is to raise the average yield from the current 5.2 t ha−1 year−1 to 7.3 t ha−1 year−1 by 2050. Simultaneously, controlling paddy field conversion to a maximum of 30,000 hectares per year is crucial. This strategic approach anticipates Indonesia’s milled rice production to reach around 40 million metric tonnes (Mt) by 2050, with an expected surplus of about 4 Mt.