Padi Planting Movement Three Times A Year Echoed In Tanjung Jabung Timur

JAKARTA - In an effort to strengthen national food security, Tanjung Jabung Timur Regency, Jambi, launched a rice planting movement three times a year.

This program was initiated by the local Food Crops and Horticulture (TPH) Office as a strategy to significantly increase rice production and make this area one of the main food barns in Jambi Province.

"This is the first time we have launched a rice planting pattern three times a year. Hopefully, Tanjung Jabung Timur can become a pioneer in food security in the province," said Head of the Tanjabtim TPH Service, Sunarno, when met in Jambi, Sunday.

As a form of support for the program, the Ministry of Agriculture distributed aid for agricultural tools and machinery (alsintan) worth IDR 3.2 billion through the 2025 State Budget. The assistance includes 11 rotavator units and 3 combine developers, which have now been handed over to farmer groups and the Food Brigade.

Sunarno said that apart from alsintan, farmers also received support in the form of seed and fertilizer assistance which is routinely distributed through farmer groups. He believes the presence of the Food Brigade will encourage production efficiency and improve the welfare of farmers.

On the downstream side, the harvest distribution system continues to be improved. The government guarantees that the farmers' crops will be absorbed by Perum Bulog at prices according to the provisions, so that farmers do not need to worry about the sale of grain and rice.

"We are optimistic that the existence of the Food Brigade will really have a real impact on farmers. Cross-sectoral assistance and synergy are needed so that food security targets are achieved," added Sunarno.

In addition, the Agricultural Instrument Standardization Agency (BSIP) has formed 11 Food Brigades assigned to encourage an increase in the planting index in Tanjabtim.

Local government support is also seen in the form of regulations, such as Regional Regulation (Perda) Number 18 of 2013 concerning Sustainable Food Agriculture Land (LP2B), which stipulates 17,000 hectares as permanent agricultural land.

In addition, local policy innovation is also implemented through Regent Regulation (Perbup) Number 6 of 2017 which requires every ASN within the Tanjabtim Regency Government to buy 10 kg of local rice per month. This program is managed by each OPD and manages to absorb up to 32 tons of rice every month for employee needs.