Environmental-Friendly Agricultural Practices and Soil Conservation: A Case Study of Herbicides Use in the Gayo Highlands

Abstract

Results from International Laboratory Research indicate that Gayo Arabica coffee contains glyphosate chemical residues that exceed permissible limits. Specifically, glyphosate residues were found to exceed the maximum limit of 0.1 mg/kg, as set by the WHO/FAO. The implementation of environmentally friendly agricultural practices is essential to promote soil health. This investigation represents the first systematic study utilizing a stratified random sampling questionnaire. This study aims to identify the distribution, active ingredients, dosage, and regulation of herbicide use in the Gayo Highlands region, covering 81,541.38 hectares. In this study, 101 out of 200 Arabica coffee farmers were found to use herbicides, with two types of active ingredients and 22 commercial brands, each with varying concentrations and application regulations. Notably, glyphosate was the most commonly used active ingredient, represented by 18 different commercial brands.