Improved Mansur Rice Packaging Boosts Income for Gianyar Farmers

Farmers from Subak Timbul in Pupuan Village, Gianyar Regency, Bali, have enhanced the processing and packaging of their locally grown mansur rice variety, leading to a significant boost in their income. Subak Timbul chairman Ketut Supatya stated that the group can now process and sell their harvest independently, lifting the selling price from Rp15,000 per kilogram to Rp18,000 per kilogram after the produce is packaged and sorted. Speaking in Tegallalang District on Thursday, he explained that 80 per cent of the rice harvested across the 61-hectare agricultural area is the local mansur variety, cultivated by 118 farmers. The farmers produce white and brown mansur rice, red rice, black rice, red glutinous rice, white glutinous rice, the cigaluh variety, and a previously near-extinct black glutinous rice now being revived. Average yields from the biannual harvests reach approximately five tonnes per hectare. The variety is known for its plump grain shape and yields a fluffier, chewier cooked rice. Ketut noted that for about a year and a half, the farmers have received mentorship and support including milling and sorting machinery from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japan’s Waseda University, as well as backing from the Gianyar Agriculture Office and the Gianyar Regional Innovation Research and Development Agency (BRIDA). Previously, unsorted and unpacked rice sold for an average of Rp15,000 per kilogram. With sorting that separates whole grains from broken ones, the price has risen to Rp18,000 per kilogram. The rice is absorbed by Timbul Harmoni, a community-based cooperative-style business run by the local subak. The machinery, marketing support, and mentoring have also enabled the enterprise to supply premium mansur rice to consumers, including five-star hotels and online marketplaces, at prices around Rp30,000 per kilogram depending on type and quality. During a field visit, Japanese Consul General Miyakawa Katsutoshi commended the farmers’ production results following the aid and coaching. He expressed hope that the assistance would further boost local variety output and support the Indonesian government’s rice self-sufficiency programme. He remarked that he had tasted mansur rice, finding it delicious and healthy, and expressed pride that Japan could help improve the quality of the rice product and farmers’ incomes.