Lesson learned from the development of sustainable rice farming in peatland

Abstract Future food production is expected to meet the capacity in providing for 9.7 billion people world by 2050. As population rises, demand rice cropping areas Indonesia will double approximately 16.5 million ha 2040. Deploying arable land intensification alone would hardly fill gap. In Indonesia, around 140,000 – 187,000 hectares of agriculture have been lost due residential or industrial purposes every year, especially Java Island. This research attempted explore viable farming method improve peatland which has potential be cultivated as land. Three main issues hindered development growth: acidic soil and water, irrigation, variety adaptation. Despite these constraints, experiments Pulau Burung District, Indragiri Hilir Regency, Riau using varieties Mekongga, IR 64, Cilamaya Muncul managed yield an average up 4-ton/ha grain. number close Indonesian productivity 5-ton/ha. practice, leverage on integrated water resource management selected ameliorant. The range often limited factors such pest, fertilizer, next cost By further developing sustainable can contribute securing staple production.