Dr. Setia Girsang | Plant Nutrition | Best Researcher Award

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Setia Sari Br Girsang’s journey into the world of soil science and agricultural research began with a strong academic foundation. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Soil and Environmental Science from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 2000, followed by a Master’s and Ph.D. in Soil Science from Universitas Sumatera Utara in 2007 and 2016 respectively. Her academic training set the stage for a career dedicated to sustainable land management, plant nutrition, and innovative agricultural research.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Over the last two decades, Dr. Girsang has held pivotal roles in agricultural research institutions in Indonesia. Currently, she serves as a Research Professor at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), under the Agricultural and Food Research Organization. Since September 2022, she has also led a Research Group focused on location-specific innovation technologies for managing diverse agricultural land types such as dry, wet, acidic, and sub-optimal soils. Prior to this, she was a Senior Researcher at the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) under the Ministry of Agriculture.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Girsang’s research primarily centers on soil science, plant nutrition, biofertilizers, and sustainable agriculture. Her recent projects (2022–2025) include work on precision fertilization for rice, improving nutrient efficiency in sorghum, using microbial technologies to increase phosphorus and zinc uptake, and optimizing biomass waste use for corn cultivation on acidic lands. Her focus lies in leveraging scientific innovation for regional agricultural development, with strong implications for food security and environmental resilience.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Through her leadership and scientific expertise, Dr. Girsang has contributed to national agricultural strategies and international collaborations. She has played a key role in developing site-specific technologies, addressing issues like stunting through nutrient-optimized farming and enhancing dryland productivity in Indonesia. Her work is instrumental in shaping sustainable farming practices and improving local crop resilience, directly benefiting smallholder farmers.

📚 Academic Cites and Publications

Dr. Girsang has published numerous high-impact articles in international journals such as Field Crops Research, GJESM, Sustainability, IJROWA, and Agronomy Research. Her publications explore topics like site-specific nutrient management, land-use change modeling, and precision agriculture. She also contributes to scientific conferences and proceedings, strengthening the academic dialogue in agro-environmental research. In addition, she has authored three books, including a 2023 publication with Springer titled Environmental, Social, and Economic Challenges in Lowland Rice Production.

🧠 Technical Skills and Expertise

Dr. Girsang’s expertise spans soil chemistry, environmental sustainability, GIS-based modeling, biofertilizer development, and precision nutrient management. She is adept in applying AI tools such as neural networks for predicting land use change, and regularly integrates plant-soil-microbe interactions in her research. Her technical acumen supports the advancement of adaptive farming systems in various agro-ecological zones.

👩‍🏫 Teaching and Training Experience

While primarily a researcher, Dr. Girsang has contributed significantly to capacity building. She has participated in international training such as the Australia Awards short-term course on Agriculture Policy in 2020 and training on sustainability standards with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). These experiences enhance her outreach and mentorship capacity, especially in promoting farmer education and innovation transfer in Indonesia.

🏆 Awards and Recognition

In recognition of her enduring service, Dr. Girsang received the Satyalancana Karya Satya Award in 2023 for 20 years of dedicated civil service. Her excellence is further validated through copyrights, patents, and registered crop varieties, including the local rice variety Sabak and coconut Ohi Kofa Nias. These recognitions highlight her role in agricultural biodiversity and innovation.

📖 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Dr. Girsang aims to continue her impactful work in the sustainable transformation of Indonesia’s agricultural systems. Her focus on climate-resilient technologies, biofertilizer advancements, and farmer-centered knowledge systems positions her as a key figure in shaping the future of food security. Her legacy lies in bridging science and society to enhance productivity, resilience, and rural livelihoods.