Paddy field creation programme in South Sumatra on track
Palembang (ANTARA) - The implementation of the Community Paddy Field Creation Programme in South Sumatra is being accelerated to meet the 2026 rice production target of 4 million tonnes of dried unmilled rice (GKG) in order to strengthen national food security.
“The new paddy field creation programme in this province is running according to plan. This year we are continuing the community paddy field scheme with a target of 13,546 hectares, which will bolster the increase in rice production,” said the head of the South Sumatra Agriculture and Horticulture Office, Bambang Pramono, in Palembang on Tuesday.
He explained that this year’s programme is spread across four regions, namely Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) Regency, Banyuasin, Musi Banyuasin (Muba), and Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir (PALI) Regency.
He expressed hope that the rice production target of 4 million tonnes of GKG would be achieved, an increase on 2025, when output reached 3.6 million tonnes, despite the long dry season caused by the Godzilla El Nino phenomenon.
He explained that to carry out the programme in these regencies, his office is being assisted by soldiers from the 044/Garuda Dempo Military Resort Command (Korem Gapo).
Earlier, the commander of Korem 044/Gapo, Brigadier General TNI Khabib Mahfud, said his unit is once again helping to implement the community paddy field creation programme in several regencies across South Sumatra in the 2026 fiscal year.
“After successfully assisting with around 6,000 hectares of community paddy fields last year, this year we have again been tasked with running the same programme to strengthen national food security,” he said.
He explained that to implement the programme, his unit has held a coordination meeting on the construction of community paddy fields for the 2026 fiscal year with the local Agriculture Office and related agencies.
Through that coordination, it is hoped that this year’s programme can be carried out optimally, transparently and accountably, he said.
According to him, last year’s new paddy field activities were carried out in five areas of South Sumatra, namely Musi Banyuasin Regency, Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI), Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir (PALI), Muara Enim, and Lahat Regency.
Planting on those paddy fields has been carried out in stages using the Inpari 32 rice variety, which is known for its resistance to disease and has a growing period of 120 days.
Production from the community paddy fields reached around five tonnes of dried unmilled rice (GKG) per hectare in the first planting, with subsequent phases expected to yield up to 8 tonnes of GKG per hectare.
The programme marks an important milestone in efforts to improve food security and community welfare in the province, which comprises 17 regencies and cities.
“It is hoped that this programme will run according to plan and improve farmers’ welfare while maintaining South Sumatra’s position as one of the country’s largest contributors to national rice production,” said Korem Gapo commander Brigadier General TNI Khabib Mahfud.