During Harvest, Unhusked Rice In Lebak Banten Has Dropped to IDR 6,500 Per Ton

Illustration of agricultural rice (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The price of dry unhusked rice in Lebak Regency, Banten Province, has reportedly decreased at the farmer level. Farmers in various areas are entering the main harvest season, causing the price of dry unhusked rice to drop from IDR 7,500 per kg to IDR 6,500 per kg.

"Today, the harvested unhusked rice is being collected by millers at the Government Purchase Price (HPP) of IDR 6,500 per kg," said Misbah, a farmer in Rangkasbitung, Lebak Regency, on Sunday.

Although the price of unhusked rice has dropped, he hasn't suffered a loss, as it was sold at the HPP of IDR 6,500 per kg.

"We sold 5 tons of unhusked rice at IDR 6,500 per kg, earning IDR 32.5 million," Misbah said.

Similarly, another farmer, Yana, said that farmers in the Tambakbaya Block area of ​​Lebak Regency were being collected by rice mills at IDR 6,500 per kg, up from the previous price of IDR 7,500 per kg.

The harvest in his area covers around 70 hectares, and many buyers purchase GKP from the farmers, even from outside the region.

"We harvested two hectares with a yield of 10 tons, and if sold at IDR 6,500 per kg, we would have made IDR 65 million," he said.

The Head of the Lebak Regency Agriculture Office, Rahmat, said that farmers who have already harvested should accelerate planting to contribute to the success of the national food self-sufficiency program.

The rainfall in the area has also been high, ensuring that the accelerated planting process will run smoothly and thrive.

"We ask farmers, farmer groups, farmer groups (Gapoktan), and field extension officers to target a planting target of 9,300 hectares by August 2025," he said.