B) Using Rice Straw Compost To Improve Adan Rice Cultivation At Bario And Ba’kelalan, Sarawak

Introduction:

Adan rice is a medium grain rice, marble white in colour, famous for its excellent sweet taste, and slightly sticky texture. Adan rice mostly grown by the Kelabit and Lun Bawang communities at Bario in Northeast Sarawak, Malaysia. The Adan rice growers practice traditional farming methods for generations. During fallow period, buffaloes graze in the rice fields where they also fertilize the soil through manuring. The buffaloes are also used to plough the rice fields. The Adan rice takes approximately six months to mature. They are sown in July, harvested in January, and planted for one cycle per year. After harvesting, the availability of rice straw as well as buffaloes manure are high due to the conventional practice of Adan rice farming. Burning of rice straw may cause harmful environmental problems whereas over grazing could lead to soil compaction. In addition, direct application of manure as an organic fertilizer may cause environmental problems such as foul odour, eutrophication, and breeding ground for pests and diseases. Co-composting of rice straw and buffaloes manure for potential organic based fertilizer application should be carried out not only to reduce environmental problems but also to improve yield of Adan rice cultivation in Bario and Ba’Kelalan. The aim of this study is to complement traditional fertilization practiced in Adan rice cultivation at Bario and Ba’Kelalan by producing compost from co-composting rice straw and buffalo manure. The justification of using compost in Adan rice cultivation is because it could supply humus substances to soil, thus supplementing major plant nutrients apart from being a good source for providing micronutrients which deficiencies are showing up with intensive cropping and high productivity targets. It is expected that compost able to increase yield of Adan rice by improving soil nutrients availability.

For more further enquiries:

Dr. Latifah Omar
Senior Lecturer
Department of Crop Science
Faculty of Agricultural Science and Forestry
Tel: +6086 855830
Email: latifahomar @upm.edu.my

Updated:: 21/08/2020 [lanz]