SLEMAN – Kinahrejo Hamlet in Umbulharjo Village, Cangkringan, Sleman regency, which has been destroyed due to pyroclastic flows of Mount Merapi eruption is considered suitable to be developed into a banana plantation or others succulent plants (aqueous). This is one of the evaluation reports from the expert team from the Faculty of Agriculture UGM who conducted on-site field visit on Monday (29/11).
The team consists of the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Ir. Triwibowo Yuwono, Ph.D., Prof. Dr. Ir. Didik Indradewa, Dip.Agr.St, Ir Suci Handayani, M.P and Weni. The delegation team was led by the Chairman of DERU (Disaster Response Unit) UGM, Slamet Widiyanto, S. Si, M. Si In addition to touring Kinahrejo which is only about 4-5 km from the peak of Mount Merapi, the team also conducted a review of several other locations such as Pagerjurang, Kepuharjo.
The expert team conducted a series of study samples ranging from a few types of plants that still grow to soil acidity (pH). This study is expected to be able to identify plant species which are still possible to grow in the region.
"We study types of plants, the root and level of acidity (pH) in the soil so that we can develop immediately about what kinds of plants need to be planted in these locations in the future," Triwibowo said on Monday (29/11).
Triwibowo accompanied by researcher Suci Handayani added that the research and test samples showed that the original soil pH reaches 5.3, sandy soil pH 4.7 and pH of the muddy/dusty soil is about 4.5. This indicates that some types of plant, in particular succulent species, especially bananas, can possibly be planted on the site.
"You can see that the type of plant (succulent) such as banana is still alive though already hit by hot clouds, isn’t it? So this succulent plant species is suitable to grow than woody plants," Triwibowo added.
Others plants that can grow in Kinahrejo are shoot, lompong/taro/purse, and elephant grass. Faculty of Agriculture Team assessed that when the place is safer, it can be developed into a special area of banana plantation.
"It is clear that residential area is not the option in this condition. Therefore, this place is suitable for banana plantation while residential settlement is underneath. During harvesting, they just need to go up hill," Suci added.
According to Suci, the research still needs to be deepened again. Moreover, plants that can still grow up to today still rely on other plant nutrients to adapt. Later, the results of the research will be reviewed and deepened before recommendation especially to local governments is issued.
In Kinahrejo, trees have been burnt and uprooted, houses have been broken, and the rancid smell is still in the air. Hundreds of flies are also found in the vicinity.
Meanwhile, in Pagerjurang which was previously a settlement and Gendol River next to it seem joined. Everything looks flat on the sand, mixed with soil and volcanic ash. There are also large rocks and the smell of sulfur is still clearly felt. Under the soil mixed with sand, smoke rises indicating that at a certain depth below, there is the remaining hot lava of Merapi.