Nusantara Farmers Harvest Hope Through Collaboration

RRI.CO.ID, Kutai Kartanegara - In Muara Jawa, Kutai Kartanegara, farmers held a communal upland rice harvest on Thursday, 9 April 2026. The activity reflected not only agricultural progress but also shared aspirations for the future of Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara.

The harvest event brought together government representatives, private sector partners, and local communities in a collaborative setting. Beyond farming activities, it served as a fostered discussions and idea sharing between stakeholders.

Representing PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur, Joko emphasized a shift to sustainable farming in the Nusantara region. He highlighted the importance of reducing reliance on chemical inputs and strengthening organic solutions.

“For the Nusantara area, we will adjust our concept because this is regenerative agriculture. Even though we produce chemical fertilizers, we will minimize their use. The interesting part is learning how to develop fertilizers that are not chemical-based, especially not subsidized fertilizers. These are organic and compost fertilizers. In principle, we are ready to move forward and will always collaborate with the Nusantara Authority and other stakeholders,” he said.

The upland rice cultivation in this area is the result of collaboration with the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) and forms part of a broader community empowerment initiative. Farmers also used the occasion to share their needs, including infrastructure, farming equipment, and production support.

Diana, representing the Nauli Women Farmers Group (KWT), highlighted the challenges faced by women farmers in managing small-scale agricultural plots. She also called for better guidance to optimize home-based farming activities.

“Thank you. I represent the Women Farmers Group. In Muara Jawa, there are 13 KWT groups, and we are asking for guidance from the Regent and the Head of the Nusantara Authority. For us, KWT is more internal, because we manage land around our homes, which is different from farmers. However, we sometimes face challenges in processing facilities and need guidance on how to better manage household land so our groups in Muara Jawa can develop further,” she said.

Chairman of the Maju Sejahtera Farmers Association (Gapoktan), Sarnu, also expressed appreciation for the initiative while highlighting key challenges faced by farmers in the region. He noted the importance of agricultural machinery and fertilizer availability.

“Our Gapoktan in Muara Jawa consists of 19 farmer groups and 2 women farmer groups, with more than 400 members. Our total land area, both wet and dry land, is around 400 hectares. As hosts, we thank all of you for your presence. Our main concerns as farmer groups, as also mentioned by the Vice Regent, are agricultural machinery and fertilizers. Those are the most important,” he said.

He further emphasized the need for better road access to farmland and sustainable land management solutions to improve agricultural productivity in the long term.

As Nusantara continues to develop, agriculture in surrounding areas remains a vital part of its regional ecosystem. Through collaboration between government, private sector, and communities, agricultural development is expected to grow in line with the city’s sustainability vision.

The harvest symbolizes not only production results but also a shared space to shape the future of agriculture, ensuring long-term benefits for local communities.