Abundant Harvests and Rising Grain Prices Bring Smiles to Farmers

Cirebon, West Java — The rising steam from Sega Lengko blends perfectly with the sharp aroma of fried shallots. This delicious dish, consisting of rice smothered in peanut sauce with slices of tofu and tempeh, serves as a primary energy source for the residents of Ciboen, West Java, to start their day.

The rice in Sega Lengko does not appear by chance. Every grain is the result of the hard work of farmers who endure the scorching sun daily to tend to the paddy fields.

“Rice, of course, comes from the hard work of farmers,” said Wawan (51), a Sega Lengko vendor, to ANTARA on Thursday (14/5).

Since 2001, he has been selling this signature Cirebon dish while maintaining consistent flavour. The secret lies not just in the savoury peanut sauce, but in the quality of the rice itself. He uses premium rice to ensure the dish maintains a soft and fluffy texture. When the rice is cooked perfectly, the Sega Lengko becomes even more delicious.

He noted that during periods of abundant harvests, it becomes much easier to obtain high-quality rice.

This ease of access is not without reason. Far beyond the concerns of a single plate of Sega Lengko, rice production in Cirebon consistently maintains a surplus to meet the community’s food requirements. The Cirebon Agriculture Office (Distan) recorded that rice production throughout 2025 reached 296,416 tonnes, representing a surplus of 67,106 tonnes.

This food resilience continues to be maintained. For the period of January to April 2026, the production of Dry Milled Grain (GKG) was recorded at 139,811 tonnes, equivalent to 89,633 tonnes of rice.

The Head of the Cirebon Regency Agriculture Office, Deni Nurcahya, stated that these achievements ensure that the rice supply remains available to feed the population.