A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of science

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1992

This study was conducted to assess the intensive agricul tural development in Indonesia, to estimate its environmental impacts and to find their mitigation measures. Due to certain limitations, the study focuses on fertilizer and pesticide im pacts. In order to obtain a comprehensive result, systems approach was used. For this purpose, secondary data and other sources of reliable information were used. From an analysis of the sector and discussion of issues, it is estimated that the future Indonesian agriculture will be more intensive and that the use of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs), fertilizer and pesticides will increase. Nitrogen mass-balance models were developed to determine the nitrogen losses. Intensive literature surveys were conducted to evaluate the environmental effects of both fertilizer and pesticides. It is judged that some adverse effects already exist. Such fertilizer impacts are decreasing of soil organic matters, macro elements and organisms, and groundwater contamination. Among the pesticide impacts are decreasing of biodiversity, deve lopment of pest resistance and resurgence, water and food pollution, and human heal th effects. To avoid most of the possible adverse effects, some efforts might be made i.e. reduce the use of mineral fertilizers and increase the use of organic fertilizer (legumes, azolla, green and animal manures). Integrated Pest Management (IPM) should be implemented widely to cover all crops (food and non-food) and to reduce pesticide application. However, the results obtained were mainly based on qualitative analysis, therefore there is a need for quantifying them. It is recommended that the future Indonesian agricultural development should be based on the "total environmental (all components of the living system should be considered) approach". A recommended alternative to sustain the agricultural production is a combination of optimal-input agriculture and best management practice in which integrated pest management is one of the main components.