Facing Dry Season, Ministry of Agriculture Accelerates Simultaneous Planting in 38 Districts across East Java
The Ministry of Agriculture is accelerating simultaneous rice planting in 38 regencies/cities across East Java as a strategic measure to maintain national food production at the start of the dry season. This acceleration aims to significantly increase the additional planting area (LTT) to ensure food availability remains stable and support the target of sustainable food self-sufficiency.
Through this movement, a rise in LTT of up to 3.4% in one day is targeted, or double the previous day’s rate, as part of efforts to accelerate production amid potential climate pressures.
The movement, centred in Ngawi Regency, is being carried out by the Directorate General of Food Crops through the Central Forecasting Agency for Plant Pest Organisms (BBPOPT) together with the East Java Provincial Government, under the theme ‘Sawah Bersholawat Mendukung Swasembada Pangan Berkelanjutan’.
This planting acceleration step also maintains the positive trend in the agricultural sector. Recorded data shows that the planting area from October 2025 to March 2026 increased by 9.7%. Meanwhile, rice production rose by more than 2% compared to the same period the previous year.
The initiator of the event, Head of BBPOPT and Person in Charge of Sustainable Food Self-Sufficiency (SPB) for East Java, Yuris Tiyanto, emphasised that planting acceleration must be a measured collective movement.
“Through today’s movement, we hope the LTT increase can reach 3.4% in one day or double the previous day’s rate. This is not ceremonial, but a movement that must have real impact,” he said.
Agricultural Strategy Strengthening
To support this acceleration, various strategic steps continue to be strengthened, from accelerating land cultivation, optimising irrigation and water pumps, to enhancing cross-sectoral coordination between local governments, the TNI, extension workers, and farmers.
“This activity is dedicated to achieving a prosperous East Java. We do not only want to appear as number one, but it must be accompanied by increased results. East Java must be one step ahead. For that, we must work together; we cannot go it alone. Cross-agency synergy is absolutely necessary,” he stated.
Monitoring of plant pest organisms (OPT) is also a key focus through the use of digital technology such as the SIFORTUNA system developed by BBPOPT. SIFORTUNA is now one of the features on the Operation Room dashboard and is used by the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) to convey production security information to the President of the Republic of Indonesia.
“Through this technology, potential OPT attacks can be predicted earlier so that control measures can be taken quickly and accurately,” he said.
The Head of the East Java Agriculture and Food Security Service, represented by the Head of Food Crops Division, Denny Kurniawan, emphasised the importance of uniformity across the entire production cycle.
“Simultaneous planting must be followed by simultaneous harvesting. We face major challenges from El Niño, but Alhamdulillah, East Java has remained number one nationally for the past six years,” he said.
Ngawi Deputy Regent Dwi Rianto Jatmiko revealed that Ngawi’s agricultural sector continues to show positive performance. Rice production in 2025 reached 772,571 tonnes of dry milled unhulled rice (GKG), an increase from the previous year and contributing about 7% to East Java’s production.
“Ngawi is currently one of the regions with high productivity, even ranking third in rice production in East Java after Lamongan and Bojonegoro,” he said.
He also added that various innovations continue to be implemented, such as developing Sustainable Environmentally Friendly Agriculture (PRLB), modernising irrigation, and utilising agricultural technology to address climate change challenges, including the potential El Niño predicted for mid-2026.
In addition to technical approaches, this activity is also strengthened through social and spiritual approaches via the ‘sawah bersholawat’ concept. Representative of the Nahdlatul Ulama Agricultural Development Institution (LPPNU) for East Java Region, Yayu, stated that this momentum is something that has long been awaited by farmers. Quoting the teaching of KH Hasyim, she emphasised that farmers are the “granary of the state” and a very noble profession.
“Agriculture is not only environmentally friendly but also women-friendly. Women’s roles are very significant, from the planting process to preparing family needs. Let us surrender this effort to Allah SWT, and InsyaAllah, Allah will help us,” she expressed.
At the national level, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman has on several occasions emphasised that food self-sufficiency is a priority agenda that must be realised through fast and integrated work.
“We must move quickly, accurately, and together. Food self-sufficiency is a national need that cannot be delayed,” said Amran.