Solid Rain Application For Agrikultural Sustainability to Realization Zero

Hunger SDGs Indonesia 2030

Indonesian is agricultural country because most of citizen work as farmer.

Indonesian region by ring of fire with sequence of active mountain that cause land in
Indonesia is fertile and appropriate for agriculture sector. Indonesian ever recorded success in
self supporting food as long as period three decades at 1980, 2004, and 2008. That fact only
only records of the past. This statement based on Central Bureau of Statistic (BPS)
Indonesian that Indonesia’s rice imports amaounted to 1,2 million ton during periode January
to November 2016 1. This condition very influence most of citizen because of citizen’s main
food in Indonesian is rice. General entity of Logistic Affairs Agency (Bulog) noted that there
are 10 highest rice producing provinces in Indonesia 2. The region are East Java, Middle
Java, West Java, Jakarta dan Banten, Lampung, South Sulawesi, South Sumatera, West Nusa
Tenggara, Yogyakarta, and Aceh. It is undeniable that the agricultural sector is highly
dependent on natural conditions. Especially when the famine season comes, many farmers
lose due to the decline of the harvest. Problems when the famine comes like extreme weather,
unpredictable rainfall, and reduced water supply. Declining food supplies has an effect on
reducing the supply of national food needs. If this is left constantly there will be new
problems like soaring food prices. This condition makes it difficult for the citizen that have
middle or low economy so the food needs of society can’t be fulfilled optimally. Based on the
value of the Global Hunger Index (GHI), Indonesia is one of the countries with a serious
global hunger rate of 21.9 3. A country is categorized as a serious starvation rate if it gets a
GHI index score between 20 - 34.4. According to the World Food Organization (FAO) of
Indonesia, there are still cases of famine in Papua, East Nusa Tenggara, and Maluku. Some
efforts that have been done by the government include seed subsidy, fertilizer subsidy, and
compensation for crop failure. But the policy has not fully solved the existing problems. The
government needs to review its policy and find out the root causes of agricultural problems in
Indonesia. Problems arising from famine season related to water availability one of which can
1
Detik Finance. 2017. RI Masih Impor Beras1,2 Juta Ton di 2016, Ini Penjelasan Kementan
(https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/3386153/ri-masih-impor-beras-12-juta-ton-di-2016-ini-
penjelasan-kementan)
2
Kompas. 2013. Ini 10 Provinsi Penghasil Beras Tertinggi di Indonesia
(http://ekonomi.kompas.com/read/2013/01/03/16462125/Ini.10.Provinsi.Penghasil.Beras.Tertinggi.di.Indonesia)

3
Databoxs. 2016. Indonesia Masuk Negara dengan Tingkat Kelaparan Serius
(https://databoks.katadata.co.id/datapublish/2016/10/13/tingkat-kelaparan-indonesia-ke-3-terparah-di-asia-
tenggara)
be overcome by using Solid Rain. A total of 10 grams of Solid Rain can absorb one liter of
water. This product has been tested by the Mexican government by adding it to agricultural
land and its crops increased by 300% more than usual. Solid Rain can survive for 8-10 years
in the ground4. Solid Rain is made from a material called Potassium polyacrylate 5. The
usefulness of this potassium polyacrylate compound can be a groundwater storage agent,
increasing the germination and appearance of seeds, containing potassium, nitrogen,
phosphorus, and releasing fertilizer efficiency slowly. These compounds consist of chains
parallel to each other and are connected regularly by crosslinking agents to form a network.
When this chain interacts with water, then the water will enter into the molecule through
osmosis. Quickly water can occupy the inner storage area of the polymer network. When the
soil dries, the polymer slowly releases as much as 95% of the water absorbed into the soil. In
one hectare it takes approximately 50 kg of Solid Rain at a price of $ 1,500 (Rp
20,162,997.11). The price is quite expensive to get this material is difficult to reach small
farmers. Therefore, the role of government is needed to make policy related to agriculture
budget to giving aid or subsidy of agricultural materials. As the government has done in the
form of subsidized fertilizer budget policy, funding can also be made to help small farmers to
use Solid Rain on their farms. The government can save the subsidized fertilizer cost budget
by solid rain investment because solid rain other than as a water absorbent agent also can be
fertilized. Because for now the problem of agriculture in the form of famine season that affect
the crops of farmers has not found a solusive step, so the use of Solid Rain can be the right
choice considering the durability of long enough for 8-10 years.

4
BBC News. 2013. Can “powdered rain” make drought a thing of the past?
(http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-23715031)
5
Socochem. 2013. Potassium Polyacrylate-Super Absorbent Polymer for Agriculture
(https://www.socochem.com/potassium-polyacrylate-super-absorbent-polymer-for-agriculture.html)