The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) and the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) work together to increase exports of organic rice. This type of rice export has a certain market segment. Export opportunities for organic rice are also wide open, especially for European and American countries whose food safety standards are strictly maintained. “The benefits of organic rice exports are huge. The price is much more expensive than premium rice. Organic rice exported in the form of organic white rice, black rice, brown rice, and brown rice. This rice is in demand by certain people for several reasons, including not using chemicals, non-GMO, distinctive taste, and can be used as raw materials for certain types of food," said Director General of Food Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Suwandi, in the Guidance event. Propaktani Technical and Socialization (BTS) Episode 364, on March 10, 2022.
Organic rice is rice produced through an organic cultivation process without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This organic label is certified by an independent body. Organic rice has a high nutrient and mineral content. In addition, organic rice is also high in glucose content. Carbohydrates and protein are also easily decomposed, so they are safe and highly recommended for consumption by diabetics. Departing from the improving export performance, Kelvin emphasized, increasing rice production is not only aimed at domestic consumption. However, in the future, it will also focus on developing export-quality rice for special market segments, especially organic rice and certain rice that foreign consumers are interested in. "In the future, we are optimistic that organic rice will not only be able to meet domestic needs but also be able to fill the world market," added Kelvin.
Meanwhile, on the same occasion, the Director of Market Development and Export Information of the Directorate General of National Export Development of the Ministry of Trade, Marolop Nainggolan, said that the large market potential of Indonesian organic products needs to be supported by the right production strategy and marketing strategy. Through mentoring, SMEs exporting organic products can produce products that are in accordance with market demand continuously. Marolop added, several developing countries have started promoting organic products because they benefit producers and consumers. In addition, consumers also value organic agricultural products more than non-organic products. "The benefits that will be obtained from rice exports, apart from increasing the country's foreign exchange, can also improve the welfare of farmers. This is because the price of organic rice is higher than that of non-organic rice. The price of organic rice in Europe is estimated at 5 to 6 euros,” added Marolop. Meanwhile, the Head of the Working Team for the Export of Food Crops, Horticulture, Fisheries and Livestock at the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Eka Purnama, revealed that the largest organic rice exports in 2021 will be to France at 51.5 tons, followed by the United States at 50 tons (32%) and Malaysia amounted to 45.3 tons (29%). Several other export destinations are Italy, Singapore, Germany, Hong Kong, Belgium, and Australia. Meanwhile, data released by the Directorate General of Food Crops at the Ministry of Agriculture in 2019 stated that organic rice centers are currently still in small spots and not in a large area. The organic rice centers are mainly in West Sumatra, West Java, East Java and Southeast Sulawesi with an area of about 215 hectares.
West Java is the largest center for organic rice in Indonesia. The organic rice-producing areas in West Java are Tasikmalaya, Karawang, Cianjur, and Indramayu regencies. Until now, there is no definite data on the area of organic rice cultivation. However, with the 1,000 organic village program, the number of regions interested in developing organic agriculture, especially rice, continues to grow. Noted, for example, areas in Central Java and Central Kalimantan. According to the Director General of Food Crops, Suwandi, the average productivity of organic rice in rainfed rice fields is 5 tons of harvested dry grain (GKP) per hectare. Even for centers that have been in organic farming for more than five years, such as in Tasikmalaya, it can reach 7 tons of dry grain harvested per hectare. Most of the farmers produce organic rice using rice varieties such as Ciherang, Inpari, Sintanur, and the rest are local varieties. It should also be noted that data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) as reported by Databoks on January 7, 2022, shows that Indonesia's rice exports reached 317.81 tons in the fourth quarter of 2021. This figure shrank by 88.81% compared to the previous quarter, but increased by 96.66% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. Meanwhile, the value of rice exports in the fourth quarter of last year was only USD262.71 thousand, down 86.7% from the previous quarter and also down 21.22% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. In accumulation, for the period I-IV 2021, the volume of rice exports reached 3.26 thousand tons. The volume jumped almost 9 times or 790.77% over the same period the previous year.
Meanwhile, the value of Indonesia's rice exports during the first quarter of last year was valued at USD 2.61 million. This value rose 157.4% over the same period the previous year. National rice exports had reached a record high of 2.84 thousand tons in the third quarter of 2021 with a value of USD 1.98 million. Meanwhile, the lowest rice export was 30.26 tons in the fourth quarter of 2016 with a value of USD 58.66 thousand.
