Rising Paddy Prices Bring Greater Prosperity to Farmers in Majalengka

The welfare of farmers is improving under President Prabowo’s administration. This is evident from the rise in paddy prices received by farmers. This increase is felt by Fachrudin, a farmer in Panyingkiran Village, Jatitujuh Subdistrict, Majalengka Regency, West Java. “Here, the price of wet paddy right after combining is around Rp660,000–680,000 per quintal. For dry paddy, it can be Rp700,000 to Rp800,000 per quintal,” said the Chairman of the Hujung Farmer Group. He admitted that paddy prices in the Prabowo era are higher than before, especially during the rainy season. “Before Prabowo, it was below Rp650,000 per quintal; Rp500,000 was the best we could get. For me, during the rainy season, the highest was Rp470,000–480,000 per quintal,” he explained. Not only that, Fachrudin also mentioned that the distribution of subsidised fertiliser is now much smoother and cheaper. This ease means farmers like him no longer have to queue or deal with paperwork during the planting season. “It’s smoother, cheaper, and less hassle now. Before, we had to queue and prepare documents; now it’s much easier,” he said. According to him, with such smooth subsidised fertiliser facilitation, his rice production is stable and without issues. In fact, there is now an increase in income. “Rice production is almost the same, stable, and consistent, sir. But in terms of monetary income, it’s more now because of the price increase (of paddy),” explained Fachrudin. Therefore, he stated that farmers’ welfare can now be said to be better. Although there is inflation, at least daily life is relatively better. “Alhamdulillah, it’s better, sir. It’s just that maybe because of the war uproar or something, there’s a price increase. If there were no war, many farmers would surely be building or renovating houses in the village, guaranteed,” he concluded.