High Hopes from Merauke's Rice Fields: New Planting Method Boosts Productivity

There is a noticeable change in the rice farming methods in Candra Jaya Village, Kurik District, Merauke Regency, South Papua. Farmers who traditionally used the broadcast seeding method are now beginning to switch to a new technique using a drum seeder, which local farmers often call the ‘paralon’ method. Abdul Rokhim, a farmer from Candra Jaya Village, said the paralon method was introduced as part of a Ministry of Agriculture programme. He noted that the differences from the previous planting method are already visible even before harvest time. “This is a programme from the Ministry of Agriculture, a new programme using a drum seeder or paralon. The advantage is that maintenance is easier, and the planting is neater. It is clear from the growth now that production will likely be higher,” Abdul Rokhim said when met at his field on Sunday (5/7/2026). He added that plants grown with the new method appear healthier and have more tillers. Another farmer in the same area, Angga Dwi Hardianto, observed similar results. He said farmers in his region are more accustomed to using the broadcast method, but after being introduced to the paralon method, he finds the plant growth more promising. “The results so far are better than the broadcast method. We usually use broadcast seeding here. This programme from the ministry asked us to use the paralon programme. It is still good because we also saved labour and time. We used drones for spraying and fertilising, so we saved a lot of labour,” Angga said. The paralon method essentially still uses the principle of direct seeding. The difference is that the seeds are first soaked, then drained, and placed into a tube-shaped tool with wheels and small holes, which is then pulled along the paddy field. The seeds exit through the holes at a more regular spacing, resulting in a neater distribution and giving the plants better room to grow. “It is neater and denser. There is a legowo row spacing, so the air and sunlight circulation is better. This can also help prevent fungus or other diseases,” he said. The farmers’ optimism in Merauke is tied to the targeted yield results. Angga mentioned that productivity in his area has averaged around 4.5 to 5.5 tonnes per hectare, whereas the new method could potentially reach 10 tonnes per hectare. Abdul Rokhim shared this optimism, stating that signs of increased yield are already visible from the plant growth in the field. This rice planting modernisation programme in Merauke is part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Advanced Agriculture System (PMAAS). Fadjry Djufry, Head of the Agricultural Assembly and Modernisation Agency (BRMP) at the Ministry of Agriculture, said the idea began to be developed two years ago after Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman studied rice productivity increases in countries like the United States, Vietnam, and China. He explained that the core of the new method is arranging planting distances and increasing the plant population per hectare, which can significantly boost the number of plants while reducing seed requirements. “The planting cost can also drop from Rp3 million to just Rp500-600 thousand, so it is more economical,” he said.