The Role of Aiptu Ngurah Rai in Guiding Bali Farmers to Boost Harvest Yields

Aiptu I Gusti Ngurah Rai Antanegara, the Deputy Head of the Jembrana Town Police Station, is actively involved in agriculture in Jembrana, Bali. Aiptu Ngurah Rai mentors farmers to increase harvest yields and boost sales revenue.

Due to his dedication to agriculture, Aiptu Ngurah Rai has been nominated for the 2026 Hoegeng Awards. Previously, he was also a candidate for the 2025 Hoegeng Corner.

I Ketut Tinggalada, a resident of Tegal Badeng Timur Village, Negara Subdistrict, Jembrana Regency, stated that Aiptu Ngurah Rai is a police officer who actively farms. Aiptu Ngurah Rai also guides farming groups.

“He is one of the police officers whose parents are farmers, so as a police officer, he makes time when off duty to also act as a farmer,” said I Ketut Tinggalada to detikcom on Tuesday (10/3/2026).

I Ketut Tinggalada is the Chairman of Subak Pemangket Awen Barat, while Aiptu Ngurah Rai serves as secretary. A subak is a community organisation that manages irrigation and agricultural matters in Bali.

Ketut highlighted the important role played by Aiptu Ngurah Rai, enabling farmers to plant smoothly and achieve good harvests. Aiptu Ngurah Rai is also credited with a key role in regulating irrigation, which was previously monopolised.

“In the past, it was indeed like a monopoly by earlier officials; he accompanied me too, and alhamdulillah, there were no obstacles, everything was resolved. Everything could be facilitated thanks to him knowing the legal rules,” he said.

In the subak, Aiptu Ngurah Rai instils discipline, particularly regarding fertiliser distribution. Ketut noted that with Aiptu Ngurah Rai in the subak, farmers receive subsidised fertiliser fairly and evenly.

“He maintains discipline; for example, if any members do not comply with the rules, they automatically face sanctions, and he enforces those sanctions. That’s why since he has accompanied me, astungkara, there have been no issues,” he explained.

“Previously, there were problems with fertiliser redemption, but now there are none; everything is safe. Reporting and data collection, including complete documentation, are also handled by him. Administratively, things are tidier, with incoming and outgoing letters, visitor reports, and meeting minutes,” he added.

Meanwhile, Aiptu Ngurah Rai is also said to encourage residents to change how they sell their harvests. He advises farmers not to sell to middlemen under the ijon system.

“In the past, many farmers who lacked knowledge sold directly to middlemen but ended up not getting what they expected. The middlemen naturally take their cut,” he said.

To increase sales revenue, Ketut and Aiptu Ngurah Rai encourage farmers to sell their harvests directly to mills. This way, the price of unhulled rice follows the government-set rates.

“Since Ajik and I emphasised this, why don’t we handle it ourselves when we, as producers, know the process from start to finish? Why go to middlemen? Gradually, farmers enjoy better results. Directly to the mill at the government-determined price,” he explained.

Additionally, Ketut said Aiptu Ngurah Rai invites residents to work on his agricultural land.

“In the horticulture sector, he is capable of absorbing unemployed labour because he cultivates horticulture on larger land, thus employing workers. I think there are about six elderly women; every planting season, he always hires labour, even more than six if more workers are needed,” he clarified.

Field Agricultural Extension Officer (PPL) Anggi stated that she is assisted by the mentoring Aiptu Ngurah Rai provides to farmers. Anggi said Ngurah Rai is very active in helping farmers.

“In my opinion as a PPL, Mr Ngurah Rai is extremely active in farmer mentoring, perhaps because besides serving as a police officer, in his daily life he is involved in agriculture by managing part of his land for rice cultivation and horticultural crops like chillies and other vegetables,” Anggi told detikcom.

Anggi noted that Aiptu Ngurah Rai is very active in providing outreach. According to her, Ngurah Rai also oversees the distribution of subsidised fertiliser to ensure it reaches the intended targets.

“Mr Ngurah Rai is always present in every opportunity with the farmers, helping me as a PPL to conduct outreach on subsidised fertiliser regulations while supervising the distribution to prevent any misuse at the farmer level,” she said.

From the sales perspective, Aiptu Ngurah Rai also provides guidance to farmers. Anggi said Ngurah Rai encourages farmers not to rely on middlemen.

“He also pushes surrounding farmers not to depend on middlemen so that farmers can gain more profit from their harvests,” she explained.

Anggi added that Aiptu Ngurah Rai contributes to local government programmes. One such programme is encouraging farmers to participate in marketing their harvests at affordable markets.

“This way, farmers can more easily meet consumers directly without middlemen intermediaries,” she said.

To boost harvest yields, Aiptu Ngurah Rai is said to frequently provide mentoring to farmers. Anggi noted that his actions help PPLs.

“He also often shares with farmers about cultivation techniques that can increase yields. Basically, he is not stingy with knowledge to other farmers, so honestly, as a PPL, I am also helped by his contributions because it’s not easy to be accepted and heard by farmers,” she said.

The Beginning of Aiptu Ngurah Rai’s Farmer Mentoring

Aiptu Ngurah Rai began his agricultural initiatives in 2009. At that time, farmers faced several problems, and he sought to address them.

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