Agricultural production in Indonesia has long relied on chemical fertilizer–based intensification to increase yields. However, rising fertilizer application rates have not been accompanied by proportional productivity gains, indicating declining fertilizer-use efficiency. This paper argues that the core constraint to sustainable productivity lies in soil degradation, particularly low soil organic carbon and weakened soil biological functions. Evidence from intensive paddy systems shows that soils with poor organic matter content exhibit reduced nutrient retention, lower microbial activity, and greater dependence on chemical inputs, further exacerbated by intensive pesticide use. The paper proposes soil fertility restoration based on organic fertilizers and functional soil microorganisms as a strategic foundation for improving nutrient-use efficiency and production system stability. This integrated approach positions organic and biofertilizers as complementary inputs that enhance soil system performance and support long-term agricultural sustainability.
https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/3953
ABSTRACT
Agricultural production in Indonesia has long relied on chemical fertilizer–based intensification to increase yields. However, rising fertilizer application rates have not been accompanied by proportional productivity gains, indicating declining fertilizer-use efficiency. This paper argues that the core constraint to sustainable productivity lies in soil degradation, particularly low soil organic carbon and weakened soil biological functions. Evidence from intensive paddy systems shows that soils with poor organic matter content exhibit reduced nutrient retention, lower microbial activity, and greater dependence on chemical inputs, further exacerbated by intensive pesticide use. The paper proposes soil fertility restoration based on organic fertilizers and functional soil microorganisms as a strategic foundation for improving nutrient-use efficiency and production system stability. This integrated approach positions organic and biofertilizers as complementary inputs that enhance soil system performance and support long-term agricultural sustainability.
Keywords: Soil fertility restoration; fertilizer use efficiency; soil organic carbon; soil microorganisms; sustainable agriculture
摘要
印尼的農業生產系統長期以來，依賴以化學肥料為基礎的密集農業來提高產量。然而，肥料施用率的上升並未帶來等比例的生產力增長，這表明肥料的利用效率正在下降。本文認為，永續生產力的核心限制在於土壤退化，特別是低比例的土壤有機碳以及減弱的土壤生物功能。
來自密集稻作系統的證據顯示，有機質含量貧乏的土壤會表現出養分保持能力（肥力保持力）下降、微生物活性降低，且對化學投入品的依賴性更高等特性；而密集的使用農藥將使此種情況進一步惡化。本文認為，以有機肥料與功能性的土壤微生物為基礎的土壤肥力修復，是提高養分利用效率及增加生產系統穩定性的策略基礎。這種整合型方法將有機肥料與生質肥料（微生物肥料）定位為互補性的農業資材，能藉此增強土壤系統的表現，並支持長期的農業永續性。
要約
インドネシアの農業生産は、収量を増やすために長年、化学肥料ベースの集約化に依存してきた。しかし、肥料投入量の増加に比例した生産性の向上を伴っておらず、肥料利用効率（fertilizer-use efficiency）の低下を示している。本論文は、持続可能な生産性に対する最大の制約は、土壌の劣化、特に土壌有機炭素の不足と土壌の生物学的機能の低下にあると論じている。
集約的な水田システムからのエビデンスは、有機物含有量が乏しい土壌では、養分保持力の低下、微生物活性の低下、そして化学資材への依存度の高まりが見られ、これらは集約的な農薬使用によってさらに悪化していることを示している。本論文は、養分利用効率と生産システムの安定性を高めるための戦略的基盤として、有機肥料と機能性土壌微生物に基づく土壌肥沃度の回復（地力増進）を提案している。この統合的アプローチは、有機肥料やバイオ肥料（微生物肥料）を、土壌システムのパフォーマンスを高め、長期的な農業の持続可能性を支える補完的な資材として位置づける。