Farmers Admit Increased Income, Experience Major Changes Due to This

Good news is emerging from the agricultural sector. The continuously rising price of unmilled rice is said to bring fresh winds for farmers, including those in the Majalengka region, West Java.

This situation is directly felt by Fachrudin, a farmer from Panyingkiran Village, Jatitujuh Subdistrict, Majalengka Regency. He states that the current price of unmilled rice is much higher than it was a few years ago.

“If here the price of wet unmilled rice right after combining is around Rp660,000–Rp680,000 per quintal. For dry unmilled rice, it can be Rp700,000 to Rp800,000 per quintal,” said the Chairman of the Hujung Farmers’ Group.

According to Fachrudin, this price increase has a significant impact on farmers’ incomes. He even compares the current situation to the period before the Prabowo Subianto administration.

“Before Prabowo, it was under Rp650,000 per quintal; getting Rp500,000 was already the best. For me, during the rainy season, the highest was Rp470,000–Rp480,000 per quintal,” he said.

Not only regarding prices, he also highlights the ease of obtaining subsidised fertiliser. Previously, farmers had to queue and handle various administrative tasks, but now the distribution is said to be much smoother.

“It’s smoother, cheaper, and not complicated now. Back then, we had to queue and prepare documents; now it’s much easier,” he stated.

With these conditions, Fachrudin claims that his rice production remains relatively stable. However, in terms of income, there is a noticeable increase thanks to the rising price of unmilled rice.

“Rice production is almost the same, stable and average, sir. But in terms of monetary income, it’s more now because of the price increase (of unmilled rice),” said Fachrudin.

He also assesses that farmers’ welfare is currently tending to be better, although on the other hand, there is still inflationary pressure felt by society.

“Alhamdulillah, it’s better, sir. But maybe because of the war uproar or whatever, leading to price increases. If there were no war, many farmers would definitely be building or renovating houses in the village, guaranteed,” he said.