RRI.CO.ID, Nusantara - Indonesia’s future capital, Nusantara, celebrated a milestone in agricultural innovation with its first collective upland rice harvest in Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan on Thursday, 9 April 2026. The initiative demonstrates the country’s commitment to strengthening food security through sustainable farming practices.

The harvest took place at a conservation agriculture demonstration plot managed by the Mekar Jaya farmer group in Muara Jawa. It represents an early step in developing innovative agricultural systems within and around the Nusantara area.

The event brought together government officials, local leaders, financial institutions, and private sector partners. This multi-stakeholder collaboration reflects Indonesia’s integrated approach to rural development and food resilience.

Farmers successfully cultivated upland rice across 20 hectares as part of an initial pilot project. Early results show promising productivity and improved grain quality, including better texture and taste compared to conventional varieties.

Head of the Nusantara Capital Authority, Basuki Hadimuljono, praised the farmers’ efforts and the collaborative innovation behind the project. He emphasized the long-term potential of scaling up similar initiatives across the region.

“This result is already good, extraordinary. Although this may appear to cover around 15 hectares, if it is expanded across different areas in the future, it will become very extensive. With 20 farmers involved, it will also be easier to manage and more cohesive. I will support this and we will maintain it as an agricultural area for the future Nusantara Capital,” he said.

The upland rice variety IPB 9G demonstrated excellent output, producing 4.224 tons of harvested dry grain per hectare. The trial covered 5 hectares for IPB 9G and 15 hectares for local varieties.

Deputy for Environment and Natural Resources of the Nusantara Authority, Myrna Asnawati Safitri, described the harvest as part of an ongoing evaluation of agricultural pilot projects. She noted that the results met expectations following months of testing and collaboration.

“We have just completed harvesting the final crop from the trial conducted together at the Muara Jawa Ulu demonstration plot. Earlier, the agricultural extension officer reported the results to us, and thankfully, they have met our expectations,” she said.

The four-month trial was conducted in partnership with the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), showcasing science-based agricultural innovation. This collaboration underscores the role of research institutions in advancing sustainable food systems.

The initiative aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s priority program to achieve national food security. Upland rice is expected to serve as an alternative solution to boost rice production and support self-sufficiency.

Through this effort, the Nusantara Capital Authority reaffirms its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and cross-sector collaboration. The program is expected to contribute to a productive agricultural ecosystem and long-term prosperity for local communities.