BLITAR – The Blitar rice planting target will jump to 52,000 hectares in 2026, up from around 42,000 hectares this year. Local officials say the increase reflects stronger efforts to boost rice output and secure food supplies.

The new figure follows coordination meetings between the Dinas Ketahanan Pangan dan Pertanian Kabupaten Blitar, the East Java Agriculture Office, and the Ministry of Agriculture. Siswoyo Adi Prasetyo, head of food crops and horticulture facilities at the agency, confirmed the revised target.

“We agreed on a 52,000-hectare rice planting target for 2026,” Siswoyo said. “That means we must add about 10,000 hectares compared with 2025.”

Officials will not rely on land expansion alone. Instead, they will push farmers to plant more frequently on existing fields.

Farmers who plant rice once a year will shift to two cycles. Those who already plant twice will move to three cycles annually. This strategy aims to lift the local cropping index and raise total output without clearing new land.

Agricultural extension workers will guide farmers through the transition. Farmer groups and associations will also coordinate planting schedules and irrigation management.

Authorities will also promote upland rice, known locally as padi gogo. They will prioritize dryland areas in mountainous zones and southern parts of Blitar Regency.

Weather patterns could support the plan. A prolonged wet dry season in 2025 encouraged many farmers to plant more rice instead of corn. Officials expect similar conditions could help them reach the 2026 goal.

The policy supports Indonesia’s broader food self-sufficiency push under President Prabowo Subianto. Local leaders say they remain confident.

“We must work harder in the field,” Siswoyo said. “But with strong coordination, we can achieve the target.”