Maluku BBRMP Verifies Expansion of Upland Rice Planting in Aru Islands

The Maluku Centre for Agricultural Modernisation (BBRMP) has verified the expansion of upland rice (padi gogo) planting area in the Aru Islands District, Kepulauan Aru Regency, as part of its oversight of the Ministry of Agriculture’s strategic programme to support the acceleration of national food self-sufficiency. The activity aimed to ensure the progress of planting in the field whilst matching the additional planting area data with actual conditions, said Head of BBRMP Maluku Gunawan in Ambon on Friday. The verification was carried out through monitoring led by the Regency’s Food Self-Sufficiency Coordinator, Fadhilah Kusumawardhani, alongside team member Heni Meyranti. “In addition to confirming the realisation of planting by farmers, the monitoring is conducted to guarantee the accuracy of the planting area data as a basis for reporting and policy-making in efforts to increase food production,” Gunawan stated. The verification results showed an additional upland rice planting area of 217 square metres using the Mapan P-05 variety. Planting was carried out on 29 June 2026 using a direct seeding system (tabela) with a 4:1 Jajar Legowo (Jarwo) pattern adapted to local land conditions. Through this activity, BBRMP Maluku affirmed its commitment to continuously oversee the implementation of food production enhancement programmes through ongoing assistance and monitoring. “Synergy between the central government, regional governments, agricultural extension workers, and farmers is expected to continue driving the increase in planting area whilst accelerating the realisation of food self-sufficiency,” Gunawan said. With routine verification, BBRMP Maluku hopes that every addition to the planting area can be accurately documented and serve as a tangible indicator of increased rice production in the region. This step is also expected to strengthen the achievements of the food self-sufficiency programme through valid data management, sustainable assistance, and the active participation of farmers in the Aru Islands Regency.