Dr. Setia Sari Girsang, Indonesia National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia
Dr. Setia Sari Girsang is a Research Professor at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of Indonesia, specializing in soil science and plant nutrition. With over two decades of experience, she leads research on sustainable agriculture, precision fertilization, and the utilization of biofertilizers in sub-optimal lands. Her work supports improved food security and environmental sustainability in Indonesia.
Scopus
Summary:
Dr. Setia Sari Girsang exemplifies scientific excellence and leadership in agricultural and environmental research. Her extensive experience, impactful research outputs, and commitment to advancing sustainable farming practices contribute to food security and rural development in Indonesia. She is an active contributor to both academic literature and national innovation programs, and her work directly benefits communities in challenging agro-ecological settings.
🎓 Education
Setia Sari Br Girsang, Ph.D., holds a robust academic background in soil science. She earned her Ph.D. in Soil Science from Universitas Sumatera Utara in 2000, followed by a Master’s degree in the same field from the same university in 2007. Her foundational education was completed with a Bachelor’s degree in Soil and Environmental Science from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 2016. This academic journey has firmly established her expertise in soil and plant nutrition, environmental science, and sustainable agricultural practices.
💼Experience
Dr. Girsang currently serves as a Research Professor at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) within the Agricultural and Food Research Organization. Since 2022, she has also led a research group focused on developing location-specific innovation technologies for managing dry, wet, acidic, and other sub-optimal lands. Prior to this, from November 2021 to September 2024, she was a Senior Researcher at the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development under the Ministry of Agriculture. Her leadership and research roles have been instrumental in advancing agricultural resilience and environmental sustainability in Indonesia.
🔬Research Focus
Dr. Girsang specializes in soil science and plant nutrition, with a focus on precision agriculture, nutrient management, and sustainable farming. Her recent research includes developing information systems for precision fertilization of rice, enhancing regional agricultural commodities, optimizing rice production using zinc-solubilizing microbes, and utilizing rhizosphere microbes for phosphate management. She has also explored the use of biomass waste to improve corn productivity on acidic dry land and studied nitrogen efficiency in sorghum as an alternative animal feed.
🛠️Skills
Her expertise spans soil fertility, plant nutrition, nutrient cycling, microbial biofertilizers, precision agriculture, and sustainable land management. She has significant experience in using modeling tools like cellular automata and artificial neural networks to predict land use changes and agricultural outcomes. Additionally, she has contributed to knowledge-sharing through international training programs on agricultural policy and sustainability standards.
🏆Awards
In 2023, she was honored with the Satyalancana Karya Satya award for 20 years of dedicated service, recognizing her significant contributions to the agricultural research sector and her commitment to advancing food security and sustainable development in Indonesia.
📚 Publications
- Title: Site-specific nutrient management for rice using soil properties to adjust phosphorus and potassium supply from compound NPK fertilizer
Year: 2025
Authors: Girsang, S.S.; Castillo, R.L.; Buresh, R.J.
Journal: Field Crops Research
- Title: Impact of certified rice seed on farmers’ income in Simalungun District, North Sumatra
Year: [Year not specified]
Authors: Savitri, S.; Setyaningrum, W.F.; Parhusip, D.; Sayaka, B.; de Brauw, A.
Journal: [Conference Paper – No journal source available]
Conclusion:
Dr. Setia Sari Girsang is a highly suitable and deserving nominee for the Research for Women Researcher Award. Her achievements embody the spirit of this award—demonstrating not only technical brilliance but also leadership, mentorship, and societal relevance. Recognizing her with this award would not only honor her past contributions but also inspire continued excellence and innovation from women researchers in agriculture and environmental science across Southeast Asia and beyond.