Blora Regent Targets 295 Hectares of Organic Farming Land Across All Villages
Blora Regent Arief Rohman has voiced support for the development of organic farming as part of efforts to strengthen food security while improving the welfare of farmers.
One of the concrete steps taken by Arief Rohman was delivering a presentation on organic farming to the Agricultural Development Institute (LPP) of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU). Together with LPP NU and the Nahdliyin farmers’ network, he held the Nahdliyin Farmers’ Congress at Al-Itqon Islamic Boarding School in Tlogosari Wetan Village, Pedurungan District, Semarang City, Central Java, on Monday (10/8).
The occasion also featured a discussion on the agricultural sector, which serves as the primary source of livelihood for Nahdliyin members. The event formed part of the preparations for the 35th NU Congress and provided a consolidation space for Nahdliyin farmers to formulate the strengthening of the agricultural economic ecosystem from upstream to downstream.
The agenda was organised through cooperation between LPP PBNU, the PBNU Coordination and Acceleration Team (TKA), and Al-Itqon Islamic Boarding School in Semarang. The activity involved the LPP NU network from several regions, including Central Java, East Java, the Special Region of Yogyakarta, West Java, and Banten.
Arief Rohman explained that Blora Regency is the sixth-largest rice producer in Central Java and serves as one of the province’s main food barns.
“Blora Regency’s dry milled grain production in 2025 reached 530,818 tonnes, an increase of 106,407 tonnes or 25.07% compared to 2024’s figure of 424,411 tonnes. The production increase was supported by a rise in productivity to 50.98 quintals per hectare, or an increase of 0.96 quintals per hectare (1.92%) compared to 2024,” Arief said in a written statement on Thursday (13/8/2026).
At the same time, Blora Regency’s rice production in 2025 also experienced a significant increase to approximately 305,252 tonnes. That figure rose by 61,190 tonnes, or 25.07%, compared to rice production in 2024, which reached around 244,062 tonnes.
He said organic farming is a future solution that not only safeguards consumer health but also improves soil quality and reduces dependence on harmful chemicals.
He added that he wants Blora to become one of the organic farming centres in Central Java. As a result, a memorandum of understanding was signed on Tuesday (15/7/2025) at the Central Java PWNU Building between Blora Regent Arief Rohman and Blora PCNU Chairman HM. Fatah. The signing was witnessed by Central Java PWNU Rais Syuriah KH. Ubaidullah Shodaqoh and Central Java PWNU Tanfidziyah Chairman KH. Abdul Ghofar Rozin, as well as all heads of agencies and sub-district heads, and MWC NU chairmen from all sub-districts in Blora Regency. In addition, every village is being encouraged to provide at least one hectare of village land as a trial site for organic farming.
“If one village can provide one hectare, then in Blora there are 295 villages/urban wards, so there could be 295 hectares of organic farming,” he added.
Furthermore, the Blora Regency Government is continuing to explore cooperation with state-owned enterprises, such as Pertamina, to support farmer mentoring and development.
“We want NU, especially LPPNU, to continue driving the spirit of organic farmers in every village. Blora must become a model regency in organic farming,” Arief stressed.
Arief said organic farming is not merely a way of farming, but a collective endeavour to protect the soil, improve farmer welfare, and provide healthy food for the community.
“Going forward, we hope NU cadres as assisted farmers can become an important part of driving organic farming in Blora Regency. Not only as beneficiaries, but also as pioneers, movers, and role models for the community in implementing environmentally friendly and sustainable farming,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Central Java PWNU Rais Syuriyah KH Ubaidullah Shodaqoh said the Nahdliyin Farmers’ Congress forum was born out of shared concern over the condition of farmers, particularly NU members who have long depended on the agricultural sector for their livelihoods.
According to him, the forum is not intended as a form of opposition to any particular party, but rather as a space for Nahdliyin farmers to gather, voice their aspirations, and fight for their interests independently.
“This activity reflects the concerns of all of us in Central Java and elsewhere. This farmers’ congress is a Central Java initiative, not meant to demonstrate opposition or rivalry. It is a forum for sovereign and independent NU farmers,” he said.
At the event, the Regent also brought organic rice from the SEHATI Organic Rice Production and Packing House. Through Bank Jateng’s corporate social responsibility programme, with assistance in the form of an oven machine, rice milling machine, and packing machine located in Denguk Hamlet, Andongrejo Village, Blora District, the facility is managed by the PCNU cooperative “Berkah Jagat Nusantara” and produces SEHATI organic rice ready for marketing.