Written by: Aida Ismah, Malaysia (Environment Activist)
Effective Micro-organisms (EM) are a combination of useful regenerated micro-organisms that exist freely in nature, not manipulated in any way and cultured according to a specific method in liquid form. Some of these micro-organisms are known to produce bioactive substances such as vitamins, hormones, enzymes, antioxidants and antibiotics that can directly, or indirectly enhance plant growth and protection. Effective Micro-organisms consist of many different kinds of effective, disease-suppressing micro-organisms where each micro-organism has a specific task.
Effective Micro-organisms (EM) were found by Dr. Teruo Higa, Professor of Horticulture, University of the Ryukyus Okinawa in 1983. Since then, EM products have been on the Japanese market and currently, EM is one of the most popular microbial technologies use worldwide especially in farming, livestock, environmental clean-up (polluted waterways, lakes and lagoons) and health industries. Effective Micro-organisms are safe for usage because they are harmless as they are 100% organic, not chemically-synthesized. Furthermore, EM is not a drug.
Effective Microbes Usage In The Agricultural Sector
Advantages To Plants
– To encourage growth and maturity in plants.
– To make plants greener.
– To inhibits the growth of bad bacteria that carry diseases in the soil.
– To act as a natural fertilizer by adding organic matter to the soil.
– To control the degree of soil moisturization and nutrient absorption.
– To improve the physical and biological properties of the soil.
– To increase ventilation in the soil.
– To encourage rooting and flowering for plants.
– To detoxify residual herbicides and pesticides in the soil.
– To eliminate the usage of chemical fertilizers.
– To act as insecticides, pesticides and repellant to pests like rats and plant hoppers
that will damage plants.
Advantages To Livestocks
– To improve the animal’s health.
– To extend the animal’s life expectancy.
– To produce odourless high quality stools .
– To reduce flies, fleas and other insects harmful to livestocks.
In Malaysia, the usage of Effective Microbes (EM) technology in agriculture was pioneered by the co-operation of the state government of Johor, Southern Johor Bahru Farmers’ Organization Authorities and University Technology of Malaysia. The technology was introduced to farmers by the Johor state government through the Southern Johor Bahru Farmers’ Organization Authorities in 2004. The result of using Effective Microbes (EM) on the crops are enormous. The crops which being sprayed with Effective Microbes (EM) are diseases resistant and of better quality. It also takes shorter time to harvest and higher in productivity.
Sources: http://www.johordt.gov.my/pmbj/v2/index.php?
Effective Microbes (EM) is an alternative agricultural technology, a combination of micro-organisms, which is breed through a naturally produced process. Effective Microbes (EM) produced beneficial substances to the crops, such as, vitamins, organic acids, minerals and anti-oxidants, when ever in contact or mixed with organic matters. This technology is suitable for agricultural sector, whether in a large or small scale.
Sources: http://www.johordt.gov.my/pmbj/v2/index.php?
Agriculture, especially farming, is the backbone of Malaysia’s economy. The use of Effective Microbes (EM) in the agricultural sector, either as fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides and livestock boosters, is very timely due to the advantages in increasing the country’s agricultural productivity.
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