Pelalawan Police Station Innovation Transforms Land into Melon Greenhouse
In collaboration with the Subur Kembar Tani farmers’ group, a strategic initiative has been launched to support the national food security programme. Located in Pangkalan Kerinci Kota, Pelalawan Regency, this smart farming greenhouse occupies 320 square metres and utilises a monoculture planting pattern, featuring Honey Globe melon seeds and a combination of dolomite, NPK, and urea fertilisers.
The Pelalawan Police Chief, AKBP John Louis Letedara, expressed his appreciation to the Pangkalan Kerinci Police Chief, AKP Shilton, for initiating the programme. He noted that the project serves as a manifestation of food security and has the potential to support food supplies for the SPPG.
“This initiative is proof that the National Police institution at the regional level is paying great attention to the utilisation of productive land for meeting community food needs,” said John Louis in a statement on Wednesday (3/6/2026).
AKP Shilton explained that the monoculture planting pattern within the greenhouse was specifically chosen to maximise production yields optimally, effectively, and efficiently within the available land area, ensuring fruit meets high market quality standards. The harvest is expected in 70 days, with 650 melon seedlings currently planted.
Shilton outlined that the agricultural partnership between the Pangkalan Kerinci Police and the community carries four main missions. The first is to maintain market stability by increasing national fruit and food production to guarantee supply availability and ensure sustainable food price stability at the regional level.
This monocultural planting pattern is believed to reduce domestic market dependence on fresh fruit imports. Furthermore, the smart farming greenhouse is expected to improve the standard of living and economic welfare of local farmers. “Finally, this activity supports and contributes to the President’s food security programme in the framework of national food self-sufficiency,” he added.
The launch received synergistic support from various sectors, including local government officials such as the Head of the Pelalawan Regency Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency (DPMPTSP), Budi Surlani, and the Head of Horticulture at the Pelalwan Food Security, Food Crops, and Horticulture Agency, Sulami. The private sector also contributed through strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships, represented by the management of PT RAPP. The primary stakeholders, the Subur Kembar Tani farmers’ group, led by chairman Didit Suyanto and approximately 10 members, participated enthusiastically in the inaugural planting process.