THE
Department of Agriculture and Agrifood of the Ministry of Industry and Primary
Resources (MIPR) and Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan yesterday jointly
organised a seminar on "Acid Sulfate Soils in Rice Production for Brunei
Darussalam" to share knowledge and experience for sustaining rice
production.
During the one-day seminar, Japanese experts
Dr Hajime Narioka of Mie University and Dr Yasuhiro Nakanishi of Tokyo
University of Agriculture presented materials on problem soils and procedures
to neutralise acidity of soil, respectively.
The seminar aimed to show how the development
of acid sulfate soils could be reduced by using land reclamation techniques for
sustainable rice production in the country.
"Acid sulfate soils can create a variety
of adverse impacts if not managed properly," said a statement provided
during the event.
The statement said that the negative impacts
of acid sulfate include killing vegetation, reduction in agricultural
productivity through metal contamination of soils (predominantly by aluminium),
acidifying and contaminating groundwater and water bodies (with arsenic,
aluminium and other heavy metals).
Others are killing fish and other aquatic
organisms and degrading and damaging of infrastructure through the corrosion of
concrete and steel pipes, bridges and other sub-surface assets.
Some agricultural development areas in Brunei,
especially those used for paddy production, are affected by acid sulfate.
"Through both training and seminar, it is
hoped that future problems caused by acid sulfate soils can be minimised and
will further enhance farmers' ability to manage their farm effectively
sustaining crop yield and supporting food security and safety programme,"
the statement said.
The seminar was a follow-up programme after a
recent training on investigation and improvement of acid sulfate soils in rice
production for Brunei was carried out in the Agriculture Development Area Padi
Planting Project Panchur Murai.
The on-the-job training was one of the activities
under the memorandum of understanding between the government of Brunei and
Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan signed on September 20, 2011.
The objectives of the training, which was
attended by 13 officers and staff of the Department of Agriculture and
Agrifood, are to enhance participants' knowledge on management of acid sulfate
soils and the main problems encountered in rice cultivation, to serve as a
platform to carry out awareness programmes for contractors and farmers to
effectively manage acid sulfate soils for crop production.
Attending the ceremony and seminar session as
guest of honour was Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Pehin Orang Kaya
Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar.
Pehin Dato Hj Yahya also presented
certificates to the participants of the on-the-job training at the Agriculture
Development Area Padi Planting Project Panchur Murai.
Also present were Japanese Ambassador to
Brunei Noriki Hirose, senior government officials, lecturers, teachers and
students from Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Wasan Vocational School and
secondary schools. The seminar ended with a question and answer session.
SALLY PIRI
The Brunei Times
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