PT PLN (Persero) studied the use of Fly Ash Bottom Ash (FABA) as fertilizer for agricultural land. This aims to see the potential of FABA in increasing the productivity of agricultural land such as rice, corn and shallots. In collaboration with the Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture of West Sumatra Province, PLN researched FABA from the Ombilin Steam Power Plant (PLTU). Associate Researcher for Soil Science, Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ismon Lenin, revealed that the provision of 5 tons of FABA per hectare can increase the productivity of corn plants by 15.15%, and in lowland rice by 15.16%. "We used several parameters for the FABA dose of the Ombilin PLTU ranging from 0 to 6 tons per hectare of land. The best result was the provision of 5 tons of FABA which gave a percent increase in yield while the corn crop was 15.15%," he said in a written statement, Sunday (23 /10/2022).
From the research conducted, said Ismon, the administration of FABA can increase the uptake of nutrients N, P, K Ca and Mg in lowland rice, corn and shallots. Meanwhile, General Manager of PLN's Southern Sumatra Generation Main Unit (UIKSBS) Djoko Mulyono explained that PLN is currently processing a distribution permit from the Ministry of Agriculture to increase the use of FABA fertilizer. "The benefits of FABA for agriculture have proven to be very good, based on the results that have been analyzed by the Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture of West Sumatra showing positive results. Hopefully in the near future permits can be issued so that we can increase the use of FABA to support food security," he said. It is known that PLN is currently collaborating with BUMDES Karya Muda Mandiri in West Sumatra regarding the use of FABA for the manufacture of fertilizer. PLN has utilized 10 tons of FABA from PLTU Ombilin for fertilizer manufacture with a composition of 30% FABA used by farmers around PLTU Ombilin.
