Farmers Cheer as Higher Grain Prices Boost Returns on Increased Harvests

INDRAMAYU – The 2026 dry-season harvest has brought gains for some farmers in the rice-producing centre of Indramayu regency, where increased yields have been matched by high paddy prices.

“Many farmers are harvesting now; it’s a busy harvest period,” said Sutatang, head of the Indramayu branch of the Indonesian Farmers and Fishermen Contact Group (KTNA), on Wednesday (14 October 2026).

Sutatang said farmers’ yields were averaging more than seven tonnes per hectare. In areas that received sufficient water during the dry season, yields could reach 9.5 tonnes per hectare.

With rice production high, farmers’ returns have also risen, as paddy prices are currently well above the government purchase price (HPP).

Sutatang said the price of harvested dry paddy (GKP) in Indramayu during this dry-season harvest was around Rp8,500–Rp9,000 per kilogram, while milled dry paddy (GKG) was selling for around Rp9,500 per kilogram.

These farmgate prices are well above the HPP, set at Rp6,500 per kilogram for GKP and Rp7,400–Rp8,000 per kilogram for GKG. “Thankfully, farmers are benefiting greatly,” Sutatang said.

Sutatang acknowledged, however, that while some farmers had enjoyed strong results, others in Indramayu had suffered losses. Their fields had either failed because of drought or their rice crops had been attacked by stem borers.