Minister Amran Urges Merauke Farmers to Counter Social Media Criticism of Rice Field Expansion

Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman has called on farmers in Merauke, South Papua, to respond to social media criticism of the government’s rice field expansion programme. The request was made during a visit to a newly developed rice field in Waninggap Kai Village, Semangga District.

Local farmer Yohanis Yandi requested an additional 2,000 hectares of rice fields in Kampung Urumb, noting that the community is already working on the existing programme. In response, Amran agreed to the expansion on the condition that farmers help counter negative narratives online. “I will add more, but if anyone gets angry on social media, you must speak up,” Amran said, referring to accusations on platforms like TikTok that the programme is forced upon locals.

Yohanis pledged to address any questions directly, inviting sceptics to visit his home. Amran stressed that the expansion is not a state-imposed project but a community request, and that the land remains the property of the people. The government’s role, he said, is to empower farmers and absorb their harvest through the state logistics agency, Perum Bulog.

The government has set the purchase price for dry unhusked rice at Rp6,500 per kilogram. With Merauke’s productivity reaching approximately 5 tonnes per hectare, farmers can potentially earn Rp32.5 million per hectare per harvest. Data from the local government and the Ministry of Agriculture shows that rice production in Merauke has risen alongside land optimisation and expansion efforts. In 2023, the rice field area was 44,808 hectares, producing 222,579 tonnes of dry unhusked rice, valued at Rp523.3 billion. By 2025, the area expanded to 79,428 hectares, yielding 439,412 tonnes worth Rp1.345 trillion. As of May 2026, production from 40,197 harvested hectares has reached 217,498 tonnes, valued at Rp665.9 billion. Amran projects that Merauke’s agricultural productivity will surge by 300% in 2026 compared to 2023, positioning the region as a key area for national rice production.