Reviewing Karawang rice fields, Agriculture Minister gives combine harvester to farm labourers

Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has provided agricultural machinery in the form of a combine harvester to farm labourers in Karawang, West Java, and will replace farming equipment that was stolen, in an effort to improve their productivity and income, during a visit to rice fields in the area.

“This will be used and rented out to the community. It can cover five hectares, ten hectares in one day,” the minister said during a dialogue with farm labourers in Karawang, West Java, on Monday.

The minister responded quickly after directly observing the conditions of farm labourers during his working visit. While passing through rice fields in Tegal Sawah Village, East Karawang District, the minister’s entourage stopped after seeing a number of farm labourers working.

Amran then got out of the vehicle and spoke directly with the farm labourers. During the conversation, it emerged that most of them do not own their own rice fields and have relied on work as harvest labourers to meet their daily needs.

The minister also received information that farming equipment commonly used by the group had been stolen on the night of 17 August 2026. Upon hearing this, the minister immediately said he would replace the lost equipment.

“If it cannot be found, it will be replaced. It is lost, never mind. We will replace it later,” the minister said.

In addition to replacing the lost equipment, the minister also provided a combine harvester to the farm labourers to be managed and used together. The assistance is expected not only to help speed up harvesting work but also to open new business opportunities for the farm labourers.

“Priority is given to those who do not have equipment. Farm labourers may receive a tractor, may receive a combine,” the minister stressed.

Amran explained that the combine harvester can later be used to help harvest crops for the surrounding community through a service scheme.

With its large working capacity, the machine can work several hectares in a day, potentially providing additional income for the group.

He also asked that the combine harvester be managed collectively and that the proceeds be distributed fairly to all members of the group newly formed on the spot. Part of the income can be used for operational costs, while the net proceeds become additional income for members.

“For example, if they get five hectares, that means they get Rp10 million. Rp3 million is set aside to buy fuel, and the remaining Rp7 million is divided among 10 people. That means Rp700,000 per person per day,” Amran explained.

Amran stressed that the assistance should not be controlled by individuals, but should be used collectively so that all farm labourers in the group can benefit.

“Share the results, share equally. Everyone participates. No one should be left behind,” he stressed.

The minister emphasised that the government continues to ensure that agricultural mechanisation provides broader benefits, including for farm labourers who have long been an important part of the food production process.

According to him, agricultural machinery is not only an instrument for improving efficiency and speeding up work in the fields, but can also be a means of creating business opportunities and increasing the income of the agricultural community.

With the collectively managed combine harvester and the replacement of lost equipment, the farm labourers in East Karawang are expected to become more productive, have new income opportunities, and be stronger in supporting national food production.

For the farm labourers, the assistance immediately boosted their enthusiasm to increase productivity.

Julaiha, a farm labourer from Tegal Sawah Village, expressed gratitude because the minister not only provided a combine harvester but also promised to replace the lost farming equipment.

“The minister immediately provided a combine, and then also immediately said he would replace my farming equipment that went missing on the night of 17 August. God willing, it will be replaced,” she said.

According to Julaiha, the presence of the agricultural equipment has made the farm labourers more enthusiastic in their work. She hopes the assistance can improve their productivity in the field.

“Hopefully with the equipment we will be more productive. More enthusiastic for us here,” she said.

Julaiha also expressed her gratitude to the minister for the attention and assistance given to the farm labourers.

“For the assistance to the farmers, I am very grateful. May Mr Amran and the President also prosper,” she said.

Another farm labourer, Engkus, also expressed gratitude for the minister’s attention and hoped the assistance could be used together to increase income.

“Alhamdulillah. Hopefully this assistance can be used by all of us. It will later be used by several people here,” he said.