The Low Carbon Rice Project celebrates farmers harvest in Madiun and discusses future partnerships

The harvest took place in the rice fields of the Tani Rejo farmer group (poktan), which partners with UD Sri Langgeng, a small rice mill supported by the Low Carbon Rice Project. The total paddy farm area managed by the Tani Rejo farmer group is 54 hectares, with the potential to produce around 378 tonnes of rice grain.

"I see this partnership as a right step towards protecting our environment. By synergising through partnerships, we can produce healthy rice in a low carbon manner," said Acting Regional Secretary of Madiun regency, Sodik Hery Purnomo, as he opened the event.

The European Union, which funds the Low Carbon Rice Project, also welcomed the rice harvest event of partner farmers in Madiun. 

"We see this collaboration between farmers and rice millers as strategic and a positive signal that complements various project achievements in Madiun Regency area. We appreciate the support of the local government and stakeholders in Madiun so that this project can run smoothly and provide benefits for farmers and rice millers in Madiun."

Novita Sari

Programme Manager of the European Union delegation to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam

As an expression of gratitude for the harvest, the event began with the “wiwitan” tradition. This was followed by a joint discussion session to explore the development of partnership models and appropriate policies for further advancing the sustainable rice value chain. 

The harvest is a concrete step for the project in strengthening the rice sector in Indonesia. 

"This collaboration model also emphasises the importance of implementing climate-friendly and socially responsible rice production practices, such as switching from diesel to electric engines for the rice mills and supply chain efficiency that has the potential to increase income for farmers and small rice millers."

Angga Maulana

Preferred by Nature’s Lead Project Manager of the Low Carbon Rice project

At the post-harvest level, the Low Carbon Rice Project has successfully assisted 34 small rice millers to switch from diesel to electric engines, in addition to other rice mills that are in the process of doing so. Activities at these small rice mills include technical assistance from local facilitators, advocacy to National Electricity Company (PLN), and capacity building for rice mill owners.

"The switch to electricity has also proven to be very beneficial for rice millers with the potential for production cost efficiency reaching 40% and the potential of reducing emissions at rice mill level by 80%," said Sutarto Alimoeso, Chairman of PERPADI.

Support for more sustainable rice production practices in the Madiun area was also shown by the Village Community Empowerment Agency (Dinas PMD). The PMD Agency collaborated with the Low Carbon Rice Project rice mills through a partnership scheme to support rice production that can maintain land quality, climate, and food supply in the Madiun area.

These positive responses from various stakeholders are also the result of the sustainable rice forum initiated by the People's Coalition for Food Sovereignty (KRKP) for the Low Carbon Rice Project. This forum is the driving force that pushes various parties, especially representatives from the Madiun Regency Government, to continuously support the project.

"This is the beginning of a long road ahead. However, with the harvest results from this production partnership, it shows that Indonesian rice actors are increasingly ready to welcome the sustainable rice," concluded Angga Maulana.

Learn more about the project here.

About the project

The Low Carbon Rice project aims to reduce carbon emissions from rice production practices in Indonesia. Funded by the European Union’s SWITCH-Asia Grants Programme, the project is implemeted in Central and East Java by Preferred by Nature in collaboration with the People’s Coalition for Food Sovereignty (KRKP) and the Indonesian Rice Milling and Rice Entrepreneurs Association (PERPADI).

About the European Union SWITCH-Asia

Launched in 2007, SWITCH-Asia is the largest European Union-funded programme promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in 42 countries in Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific. Through the EU Green Deal and Global Gateway, the EU is committed to supporting countries in their transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient and circular economy, while promoting sustainable production and consumption (SCP) patterns within Asia and greener supply chains between Asia and Europe.  Learn more at www.switch-asia.eu