Lebak, Banten - The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) in collaboration with the Government of Lebak Regency, Banten Province, held a simultaneous paddy planting movement at Gapokan Sukabungah, Tambakbaya Village, Cibadak District, Lebak Regency, Banten, on Tuesday (27/05/2025).

This activity is part of efforts to strengthen national food security in line with President Prabowo Subianto's Asta Cita programme.

Deputy Chairman of Kadin Indonesia's Food Coordinator, Mulyadi Jayabaya, emphasised that this step is to reduce dependence on rice imports.

‘This programme is to prepare food security, because Mr President (Prabowo) does not want us to always import rice from Vietnam,’ Mulyadi said.

‘Thank God, the national harvest has now increased. If the national average is 6.2 tonnes per hectare, Lebak has reached 6.3 tonnes. This means there is an increase,’ Mulyadi added.

In addition, Kadin Indonesia also provided assistance in the form of organic fertiliser and _hand sprayers_ to farmers. The target is that around 51,000 hectares of productive rice fields in Lebak Regency will receive this support.

‘Economically, this can make the farming community invite their neighbours to participate, they will also get paid. What needs to be considered is the need for fertiliser and seeds. People often lack fertiliser and seeds, God willing, with this assistance Lebak will be surplus and the national will also be surplus,’ Mulyadi explained.

According to Mulyadi, with simultaneous planting patterns and joint management, crop productivity can be boosted to 8 tonnes per hectare per harvest season.

‘The rice target in Lebak, if 51 thousand hectares are multiplied by 8 tonnes, the result is 400 thousand tonnes in one harvest. If it is harvested twice, it can reach 800,000 tonnes. Lebak only needs 160,000 tonnes, so the surplus can be more than 600,000 tonnes that can be sold to the public,’ said Mulyadi.

Mulyadi added that the success of farmers will have a significant impact on regional development.

‘When farmers advance, this will have an impact on the development of Lebak Regency. Their children will be smart, their economy will be sufficient, and their food will be sufficient,’ said Mulyadi.

Meanwhile, Lebak Regent Moch. Hasbi Asyidiki Jayabaya appreciated Kadin Indonesia for this initiative.

‘We give an _applause_ to Mr Haji Mulyadi Jaya Baya, the Father of Lebak Regency Development, who eventually became the Deputy Chairperson of Kadin Coordinator for Food, so as to provide assistance to us in the form of organic liquid fertiliser. Because we have to start transitioning from chemical fertiliser to organic fertiliser. Alhamdulillah,’ Hasbi said.

The Regent added that with the use of organic fertiliser, crop productivity in Lebak Regency can exceed the national average.

‘The yield per hectare is usually 6.3 (tonnes) to 6.5 tonnes, nationally it is 6.2 tonnes. With liquid fertiliser, productivity can reach 7 (tonnes) or even 8 tonnes,’ said the Regent.

This simultaneous planting activity is one of Kadin Indonesia's concrete steps together with the local government to improve food independence and the welfare of farmers in Lebak Regency, while supporting President Prabowo's grand vision to make Indonesia the world's food barn.