Electricity Use Cuts Rice-Milling Operating Costs

Magelang (ANTARA) – The head of the Central Java Provincial Food Security Agency, Widi Hartanto, said the use of electricity significantly reduces rice-milling operating costs.

Previously, milling one tonne of paddy using a diesel-powered machine cost Rp354,670. With an electric machine, the cost falls to Rp142,820 per tonne.

“This means a saving of Rp211,850 per tonne, or around 60 per cent. The efficiency gains come from lower fuel consumption and reduced labour requirements,” he said in Magelang on Thursday.

The Central Java Provincial Government is continuing to strengthen regional food security through the revitalisation and electrification of small-scale rice mills. The programme is considered capable of improving paddy-processing efficiency while strengthening farmer-group institutions’ role in maintaining rice availability in the province.

The electrification programme involves upgrading the power supply from single-phase to three-phase, repairing machinery, and replacing diesel-powered drive engines with electric ones.

One site taking part in the programme is Gapoktan Maju Makmur, in Ngadirojo Village, Secang District, Magelang Regency.

He said the programme forms part of the revitalisation of 14 small-scale rice mills, supported by the government between 2025 and 2026, with total funding of Rp3.1 billion.