Petrokimia Launches Two Agricultural Innovations

Gresik, E Java, (Antara Jatim) - A national fertilizer company, Petrokimia Gresik has launched two innovative agricultural products, namely Petro Hibrid and Petro Gladiator, which will help achieve national food security.

The Technical Director of Petrokimia Gresik, Arif Fauzan, said here on Friday the two innovative products have their advantages. One is able to produce a harvest of 12.8 tons of dry grain per hectare, much above the national average of only 5-6 tons per hectare.

"Almost every year, we launch new agricultural innovations. These products are ready to be used to support the national food security program," Arif said.

He stated that Petro Hibrid is a rice seed variety of HIPA 18 which has been developed jointly by the company and the Rice Research Institute of Sukamandi, West Java province.

"This seed is able to increase productivity by 10 to 20 percent, compared to inbred seeds. It is an answer to the government's plan to enhance rice production by 1 to 1.5 percent per year," he explained.

Petro Gladiator is a liquid decomposer which accelerates the process of breaks down organic materials into organic fertilizer.

"This tool is expected to accelerate recycling of nutrients from agricultural and livestock waste to be turned into fertilizer," he noted.

This product is expected to be processed from urban and organic waste from plantations that have not been treated well, Arif said.

He explained these products complement the 17 other products that have been marketed earlier.

"The products are a form of support lent by Petrokimia, as a state-owned company engaged in agriculture sector, to support the organic-based agriculture program run by the government," Arif underlined.(*)