RADAR BLITAR – A joint rice planting initiative between Indonesian soldiers and villagers is underway in Blitar, East Java. The effort forms part of a national food security drive under the military’s rural development program, TMMD. As a result, troops and farmers are working side by side to cultivate community farmland.

The activity took place in Krisik Village. There, personnel from the TMMD task force planted rice seedlings together with local farmers. In addition, village officials and community police officers joined the effort.

The program is part of TMMD’s non-physical targets, which focus on empowerment as well as infrastructure. Soldiers first helped prepare the land. They then planted seedlings using proper spacing patterns so yields can improve.

“The TMMD task force coordinated with landowners and directly joined farmers in planting rice,” said Lt. Col. Inf. Virlani Arudyawan, commander of the TMMD task force from Kodim 0808/Blitar.

The rice planting drive supports Indonesia’s national food security program, a priority of the Army Chief of Staff. Moreover, the initiative promotes the use of idle or underproductive land. Consequently, it aims to strengthen rural food production capacity.

According to Arudyawan, TMMD activities are designed to bring soldiers closer to rural communities. Therefore, military personnel can better understand village life and local challenges. “Soldiers must truly integrate with village life,” he said.

Residents welcomed the soldiers’ presence in the fields. Farmers and troops worked together from land preparation to transplantation. As a result, the cooperative spirit of TMMD was clearly visible.

“Through this activity, we want to encourage mutual cooperation and help increase agricultural productivity. Food security begins in villages,” Arudyawan said. Furthermore, he expressed hope that harvests would increase and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

TMMD or TNI Manunggal Membangun Desa, is a nationwide initiative to accelerate rural development. It also seeks to improve living standards through infrastructure and empowerment programs. The current 127th cycle combines both approaches.

In Krisik Village, the rice planting campaign shows how military–community collaboration can strengthen local food resilience. At the same time, it reinforces ties between the armed forces and rural society.