/data/photo/2021/03/19/6054746e2e62f.jpg "UGM Researchers Develop “Amphibious” Gamagora Rice, What Is It? page all")
KOMPAS.com – Phenomenon climate change has caused various environmental impacts, including the production of food crops such as Paddy. To deal with this, the Gadjah Mada University research team (UGM) succeeded in developing the Gamagora “Amphibious” rice.
In his official statement, the Head of the Research Team from the UGM Faculty of Agriculture, Dr. Ir. Taryono revealed that his team is developing rice varieties “Amphibian”.
Development new rice varieties This is done to get around the decline rice production in Indonesia due to the phenomenon of climate change, both caused by El Nino and La Nina.
In addition, the development of this new rice variety can also deal with the problem of changing the function of rice fields to non-rice fields which is increasing. It is recorded that the transfer of land functions from rice fields to non-rice fields has reached 96,512 hectares per year.
Rice varieties The amphibian is named Gamagora which is an abbreviation of Gama Gogo Rancah.
“Gamagora is being tested for 14 locations across Indonesia,” said Taryono when met on the sidelines of a review of multi-location test sites at the Center for Agrotechnology Innovation (PIAT), Berbah, Kalitirto, Sleman, Sunday (20/3/2022).
Also read: Bangladesh is Ready to Plant Golden Rice Varieties, These are the Advantages
Taryono explained that amphibious rice Gamagora is being tested at eight rice fields and six sites on rainfed soil.
The multi-location test activity was carried out to obtain distribution permits and release permits for new rice varieties from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Other research members Dr. Panjisakti Basunada, SP, MP, said that the multi-location test was also carried out to obtain the superiority of rice compared to similar rice varieties that have been planted in Indonesia.
“Here we will involve ten candidates, plus four comparisons. Compared to existing cultivars, which are favored by farmers and are superior. At least the conditions for the cultivar to pass match the appearance, match the superior characters,” explained Panjisakti.
He further said that in the meantime, the superiority of varieties rice plants This Gamagora amphibian can be planted in rice fields or non-rice fields.
Also read: 5 Facts about Upland Rice, Superior Varieties Native to Indonesia
“What we excel at here is that this rice is always superior to rice fields and dry land, so (why the rice variety) is called (paddy) amphibian as a label that is memorable for farmers,” said Panjisakti.
Although the production potential of this amphibious rice variety can reach 10 tons per hectare, this new rice variety is being tested in multi-locations against 10 promising lines in 14 locations in nine provinces.
Among them are in Lampung, West Java, Central Java, East Java, the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, South Kalimantan and North Halmahera.
“Until now, we have predicted that several numbers have seen the potential for higher yields (production) in the comparison water. There is adaptability and stability. Ready to be released nationally if it is good in all places. If only one (place), then only cultivar only one place,” explained Panjisakti.
UGM Chancellor Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng., expressed his appreciation for the results of the Gamagora rice research innovation which has entered the multilocation test.
Also read: How to Plant to Post-Harvest Process for Upland Rice, LIPI’s Superior Varieties
According to him, this amphibious rice has the potential to be planted in two locations in rice fields and dry land. Therefore, according to Panut, this rice can be a good rice seed to increase rice productivity in the country.
“Good seeds are a necessity for our agriculture that we must increase productivity per hectare. I think a minimum of 10 tons per hectare is very good and increasing productivity per hectare will certainly benefit farmers,” he said.
Panut hopes that this Gamagora rice has the potential to produce high yields per hectare, but also has advantages over pests and diseases, as well as being able to pass variety tests and obtain distribution permits.
The grain produced from the Gamagora amphibious rice harvest will be processed into certified rice seeds, half of which is used as assistance to several farmer groups around PIAT UGM.
The assistance of the new varieties of morning seeds is expected to reduce production costs, thereby increasing productivity.
Also read: Climate Change Makes Nutrients in Rice Decrease Drastically
Get updates news of choice and breaking news every day from Kompas.com. Let’s join the Telegram group “Kompas.com News Update”, how to click the link https://t.me/kompascomupdate, then join. You must first install the Telegram application on your cellphone.–
