TTU–Pesisir Selatan Exchange Agricultural Innovations, with MTOT and Eco-Enzyme as the Focus of Learning

Pesisir Selatan, August 11, 2026 — The Pesisir Selatan Regency Government received a visit from Timor Tengah Utara (TTU) Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, for a knowledge exchange to absorb good practices of agricultural innovation while also sharing experiences in supporting sustainable development.

The activity, running for three days between August 11–13, 2026, brought together two innovation practices born from different regional characteristics. Pesisir Selatan Regency introduced Mulsa Tanpa Olah Tanah (MTOT)/Sawah Pokok Murah (SPM), while TTU Regency shared its experience applying Eco-Enzyme to support sustainable agriculture.

The TTU delegation, consisting of 23 people, was led by the Head of the TTU Regency Agriculture Office, Chairel Malelak. The delegation was also joined by the GIZ Indonesia & ASEAN’s SDGs SSTC Team, the Provincial GIZ team, and LP2M West Sumatra Province.

The delegation's arrival was welcomed by the Head of the Regional Development, Research and Innovation Planning Agency (Bapperida) of Pesisir Selatan Regency, Subchandri, S.E., M.Si., at the Mandeh Hall on the 2nd Floor of Bapperida. In his remarks, Subchandri expressed appreciation for the implementation of the knowledge exchange and hoped the activity would become a comparative study benefiting both regions.

He noted that the different geographic conditions and development challenges between the two regions enable the opportunity for mutual learning. Each region was able to share experiences about the challenges faced, the innovations developed, and solutions that can be applied in accordance with their region's characteristics.

"Hopefully this meeting can become a space to share stories from each region, including problems, obstacles, and innovations to find solutions for the welfare of the community," said Subchandri.

Learning was then directed not only through discussion but also field practice, accompanied by the Pesisir Selatan Regency SDGs Secretariat.

The SDGs SSTC Commission Manager, Zulazmi, expressed appreciation for the welcome from the Pesisir Selatan Regency Government. He affirmed that the knowledge exchange was designed to give participants direct experience through observation and field practice. He also hoped the activity could be followed up with a visit from the Pesisir Selatan team to TTU Regency.

Meanwhile, Chairel Malelak explained that one of the main reasons the TTU delegation is studying MTOT is that their region has a longer dry season compared to the rainy season. Therefore, a method that could potentially save water use and production costs was considered relevant to study and adapt to the region's needs.

"We came with the spirit of learning about MTOT because in TTU Regency the dry season is longer than the wet season. We see this method as very suitable to learn," he said.

He hoped the knowledge exchange would not stop once the series of activities ended, but would develop into broader cooperation in agriculture between TTU and Pesisir Selatan Regencies.

Knowledge Must Lead to Practice

After the activity at Bapperida, the delegation continued its visit to the Pesisir Selatan Regent's Office and was received by the Assistant for Government and People's Welfare, Syahrizal Antoni.

Syahrizal conveyed that the Pesisir Selatan Regency Government welcomed the presence of the TTU delegation as part of efforts to strengthen inter-regional learning and cooperation.

He felt the knowledge exchange would carry greater meaning if the knowledge gained could be applied once participants returned to their respective regions.

"Don't let this knowledge exchange stop at the three-day activity. We didn't come just to look, just to listen, and just to bring home documentation. We came to bring home knowledge that then becomes action," he stressed.

According to Syahrizal, TTU's experience with Eco-Enzyme could inspire Pesisir Selatan in enriching agricultural development and environmental management practices. Conversely, Pesisir Selatan's experience in applying MTOT and SPM is expected to be studied and adapted to TTU's conditions.

MTOT Drives Agricultural Efficiency

In the dialogue with local government and farmer groups, the MTOT innovation became one of the main learning materials. The Head of Pesisir Selatan Regency's Bapperida emphasised the importance of developing organic farming in line with growing public awareness of healthy lifestyles.

The application of MTOT is aimed at reducing production costs, increasing land productivity, and producing healthier agricultural products.

The Head of Pesisir Selatan Regency's Agriculture Office, Hamdi, explained that applying this method can produce at least five tons per hectare of harvest using natural materials, including manure and eggshells.

The soil management technique through soaking was also said to reduce water and fertiliser needs. This was one aspect that drew the TTU delegation's attention, given its relevance to a region facing water limitations.

The Experience of Nagari Sungai Gayo Lumpo

Field learning continued by observing the application of Low-Cost Rice Field (SPM) in Nagari Sungai Gayo Lumpo.

The Village Head (Wali Nagari) of Sungai Gayo Lumpo, together with local farming champion Dharmini, explained the progress of SPM implementation, which has now reached its eighth harvest.

In this experience, the first harvest yield was said to have increased up to 2.5 times compared to conventional methods. The organic rice produced was also said to be linked to efforts supporting the handling of stunting, and has received research support from universities.

This experience gave the TTU delegation a picture of how agricultural innovation is applied at the field level, including how innovation is developed together with farmers and communities.

TTU Drafts an MTOT Adaptation Plan

The knowledge exchange also produced initial ideas from the TTU delegation to develop MTOT suited to their region's conditions.

Chairel, the TTU delegation's representative, presented the works of TTU on sustainable agriculture that includes training and distribution of around 70,000 liters of Eco-Enzyme to 600 locations, the construction of an Eco-Enzyme bank, and the development of independent agricultural demonstration plots.

The program is aimed at helping optimise soil nutrients while also serving as an approach to addressing water and budget limitations in the TTU region.

With this approach, the innovations exchanged were not positioned as concepts that must be applied exactly the same way, but as knowledge that can be adapted to the needs and characteristics of each region.

Formulating Follow-Up Steps

The first day's series of activities closed with a joint reflection session at Langkisau Resort. The forum was used to evaluate the learning outcomes and to draft a Follow-Up Plan (RTL) before entering the technical agenda on the second day.

The knowledge exchange between TTU and Pesisir Selatan is expected to be an initial step toward strengthening learning networks and inter-regional cooperation. Through the experiences of Eco-Enzyme, MTOT, and Low-Cost Rice Fields, both regions not only shared innovations but also opened opportunities to adapt practices suited to local conditions in support of more efficient and sustainable agriculture.