Gunungkidul Agriculture Agency to Promote 'Gallon Rice' Cultivation Method

The Agriculture and Food Agency (DPP) of Gunungkidul Regency has stated it has been socialising the method of planting rice in gallon containers, following the example set in Ngelorejo, Gari, Wonosari. The technique has already been adopted and successfully harvested in Genjahan, Ponjong.

DPP Gunungkidul Secretary Raharjo Yuwono confirmed that the agency has frequently introduced this planting model to the public. He noted that residents of Genjahan, Ponjong, have been cultivating rice in gallons since last year and have already reaped their harvest.

Raharjo explained that the planting in Ponjong was carried out by the Genjahan Makmur Farmers Group Association using the Inpari-24 seed variety. He emphasised that the agency supports and promotes the method, though the capital investment remains the responsibility of the farmers.

According to Raharjo, growing rice in gallons is relatively easy and efficient, as it eliminates the need for daily watering. He explained that there is no need to hoe or plough the soil, and the plants only require watering until the container is flooded, with further watering only when the soil dries out. He added that no special rice variety is needed, making it a viable alternative for residents.

Raharjo clarified that this method is intended for communities with unproductive or minimal land. However, the agency still prioritises cultivation in agricultural fields, as the Ministry of Agriculture aims to increase the total area of paddy field planting.

The initiative was inspired by Susanto, the Dukuh of Ngelorejo, who utilised hundreds of gallons to plant rice in his yard to educate residents that limited land and funds should not hinder farming. Susanto began the project after seeing a video of Gunungkidul Regent Endah Subekti Kuntariningsih planting in gallons at her official residence. He collected 1,200 gallons over four months, eventually arranging 840 of them on a 10-square-metre plot of previously idle land. He filled the containers with soil and leftover Ciherang rice seeds, starting the planting at the end of March 2026. Watering was done manually with a hose, initially once a month, then twice a week, and finally once a week before drying out the plants in the final week leading up to harvest.