The Petrochemical Gresik Farmers Competition Helps Horseshoe Watermelon Farmers Cope With Extreme Weather

Petrokimia Gresik, an Agroindustrial Solutions company, a member of the Pupuk Indonesia holding company, is strengthening watermelon cultivation in Tapal Kuda, East Java, through a watermelon cultivation competition titled "Pestani Semangka Kuda." This competition is Petrokimia Gresik's effort to encourage increased watermelon productivity, even during extreme weather conditions and the rainy season.

Petrokimia Gresik's Director of Finance and General Affairs, Adityo Wibowo, explained that during Ramadan, demand for watermelons is very high. However, this period coincides with the rainy season, resulting in many watermelon farmers in various regions experiencing crop failures. Therefore, this competition serves as a form of encouragement and motivation from Petrokimia Gresik to encourage watermelon farmers to remain optimistic in their cultivation despite the challenges of the rainy season.

"During the competition, Petrokimia Gresik provided assistance to the farmers. By implementing the right technology and using quality fertilizers, watermelons are more resilient to heavy rainfall, thus increasing farmer productivity during this year's Ramadan," said Adit, Adityo Wibowo's nickname, at the "Harvest and Appreciation for Horseshoe Farmers' Competition Winners" event in Jember, East Java, Tuesday (February 17, 2026).

Adit added that the competition involved farmers from Jember, Lumajang, and Banyuwangi, from planting and maintenance to harvesting. Judging was based on three main aspects: fruit weight, sweetness level (Brix), and documentation of the cultivation process. All participants also received planting packages from Petrokimia Gresik as a form of the company's support for successful cultivation.

In addition to holding the competition, Petrokimia Gresik also conducted demonstration plots (demplots) to demonstrate cultivation using methods and technologies proven to produce high productivity. Adit explained that in the demonstration plot in Banyuwangi, the watermelon sweetness level reached 12 Brix, higher than the standard sweetness level of 10 Brix. The pollination period was also faster, 2–5 days shorter than usual, resulting in denser, less hollow fruit.

In addition to producing better fruit quality, watermelon productivity also increased by 34%. This was demonstrated by a watermelon demonstration plot trial in the Tapal Kuda region, where the yield reached 63 tons/ha, a significant increase compared to the previous harvest of 47 tons/ha despite extreme weather and high rainfall.

"Farmers in Tapal Kuda generally sell their watermelons to the sales areas of Surabaya, Semarang, Jakarta, and Lampung. Meanwhile, small watermelons, weighing around 2 to 3 kilograms, are sold to Bali. With maximum yields, farmers' income during Ramadan will certainly increase," Adit said.

Meanwhile, in this demonstration plot cultivation, Petrokimia Gresik uses a number of quality products that have been proven to increase watermelon productivity, even during the rainy season. These include Phonska Lite, K-Plus, ZA Plus, Petro Biofertil, Phonska Liquid, and others.

"We hope that the success of this demonstration plot can be replicated by watermelon farmers in the Tapal Kuda region. This way, farmers can experience firsthand the benefits of Petrokimia Gresik's superior products, supporting national food self-sufficiency while simultaneously improving farmer productivity and welfare," said Adit.

Meanwhile, Egal, one of the Jember farmers participating in the competition, expressed his gratitude to Petrokimia Gresik for the Tapal Kuda Watermelon Pestani program. He stated that this activity is not just a competition, but rather comprehensive assistance provided by Petrokimia Gresik to provide farmers with solutions to the challenges of cultivation during the rainy season.

"Not only has productivity increased, but our income has also increased. This is especially true with the high demand for watermelons during Ramadan. Pestani is a solution for us," he said.