Growing Celery in Labuhan Tangga Hilir

Misfar, aged 34, is a farmer in Labuhan Tangga Hilir, Bangko District, Rokan Hilir Regency, Riau. Farming since 2017, he grows celery on peatland without burning and has developed his methods through field experimentation.

After setbacks and continued learning, he reached an average harvest of 450 kg of celery per month, beginning 3 months after planting.

Celery cultivation in Labuhan Tangga Hilir. Photo: Misfar

Celery is harvested weekly from 3 months after planting. Before transplanting, seeds spend 1 month in the nursery. Only half of his 40 × 40-metre plot is planted at a time to maintain harvest rotation. New celery is planted in the other half 3 months before the existing crop’s harvest ends. In his experience, plants can remain productive for up to 7 months after the initial 3-month growing period.

Each month, the crop receives 10 kg of manure fermented with rice husks and dolomite. Harvests supply the local market in Bagan Siapi-Api, with reported selling prices of Rp 25,000–Rp 30,000 per kg.

Celery harvested from peatland. Photo: Misfar

“Our current challenge is that the peatland usually floods at the end of the year. In recent years, peatland towards the PT Diamond Raya Timber area has also been vulnerable to forest and land fires, with almost 100 hectares burned,” Misfar told Yayasan Gambut in a written statement on Saturday, 5 December 2020.