People's Rice Field Printing and Land Optimisation Boost Production and Stabilise Rice Prices in Merauke
The people’s rice field printing (CSR) and land optimisation (Oplah) programmes run by the government in Merauke Regency have succeeded in increasing food production while stabilising rice prices at the community level. Whereas rice prices previously reached Rp 26,500 per kilogram, residents can now obtain rice for around Rp 13,500 to Rp 15,500 per kilogram as production increases and planting areas expand in the region.
Head of the Merauke Regency Agriculture Office, Yosefa Rumaseu, stated that the drop in rice prices is a tangible impact of the increased production generated through the CSR and Oplah programmes, which are fully supported by the central government.
“Before these programmes, rice prices in Merauke were quite high, even reaching around Rp 26,500 per kilogram. After the people’s rice field printing and land optimisation activities got underway, the price of rice sold at stalls and markets fell and is now in the range of Rp 15,500 per kilogram. Most importantly, people can buy rice at more affordable prices, while farmers still benefit from increased production,” Yosefa said.
According to Yosefa, agricultural development programmes have actually been carried out for a long time. However, since 2024, central government support through the CSR and Oplah programmes has further accelerated the utilisation of Merauke’s agricultural land potential.
“In 2024, with the full attention of the central government, all existing potential was increasingly empowered through the CSR and Oplah programmes. Resource support has been enormous, ranging from agricultural tools and machinery, fertilisers, to various other production facilities,” he said.
The impact of the programme is clearly visible in the 2025 production figures. Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows rice production in South Papua Province increased by 66.46 per cent compared to the previous year.
In 2024, rice production was recorded at 124,355.12 tonnes with a paddy harvest area of 47,168.57 hectares. Meanwhile, in 2025, rice production increased to 207,006.95 tonnes with a harvest area reaching 79,433.92 hectares, a rise of 68.40 per cent.
“With the major programmes run by the President and the Minister of Agriculture, our production increased by about 65 per cent compared to before. This production increase has strengthened the rice supply so that prices at the community level are more stable and affordable,” Yosefa said.
He added that the programme’s success is felt not only by consumers but also by farmers. According to him, the production increase has managed to maintain a balance between price affordability for the public and improved farmer welfare.
“There has been a decrease in rice prices, making it easier for people to afford it, but on the other hand, farmer welfare has also increased. This programme encourages a shift in farming patterns from traditional to more modern methods. The value of farming businesses has risen, and people can get rice at more affordable prices,” he said.
A similar sentiment was conveyed by the Head of the Food Security, Livestock and Animal Health Office of Merauke Regency, Martha Bayu. She said the local government continues to monitor rice prices routinely through enumerator officers who record and report daily to the National Food Agency (Bapanas).
“We have enumerator officers who go to the field every day to monitor prices and report them to Bapanas. For premium rice, the highest retail price (HET) is Rp 15,800 per kilogram, while medium rice is Rp 15,500 per kilogram,” she said.
Based on monitoring results in markets in Merauke City and several other areas, rice prices generally remain below the Highest Retail Price (HET) set by the government.
“From our observations, the price of rice sold in markets and stalls is still below the HET, both for premium and medium rice. There are indeed certain types of rice sold at higher prices due to transportation and distribution factors, especially to remote areas. But in general, rice prices in Merauke are still under control and in accordance with government regulations,” Martha said.
According to her, the success of the CSR and Oplah programmes not only impacts production increases but also greatly helps maintain price stability and food affordability for the community.
“If we talk in terms of food availability, price stabilisation, and price affordability for the community, the Oplah and people’s rice field printing programmes are very helpful. Facts on the ground show that rice prices remain at a level that complies with government regulations and stays affordable for the public,” she said.
The positive impact of the programme is also directly felt by farmer and customary land rights holder in Merauke Regency, Fransiskus Gebze. He acknowledged that rice prices, which were previously very high, are now increasingly affordable because grain production continues to rise.
“Before, rice was very expensive. Now people can buy it for around Rp 15,000 per kilogram, down from Rp 20,000 previously. So I am grateful the government opened land here,” Fransiskus said.
According to him, the expansion of planting areas carried out by the government has significantly increased grain production, ensuring the rice supply in Merauke is more secure.
“Grain production continues to increase as the land is expanded. That is why rice prices in Merauke are now more stable,” he said.
The success of the people’s rice field printing and land optimisation programmes in Merauke demonstrates that increasing production and stabilising prices can go hand in hand. With central government support, agricultural modernisation, and the active involvement of farmers on the ground, Merauke is not only strengthening its position as one of the national food barns but also proving that increased production can deliver more affordable food while simultaneously improving farmer welfare.