It turns out that rice has a different taste for each type

Rice is an important agricultural product for most countries in the world. In fact, several countries have earned the nickname as the largest rice-producing country in the world.

Based on data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), world rice production reached 510.31 million metric tons as of February 2021/2022. This number increased by 0.09% compared to the previous month and increased by 0.56% compared to last year.

Currently, China is the largest rice-producing country in the world. In the 2014-2018 period, this country could produce up to 210.91 million tonnes of rice and contributed around 27.81%.

Furthermore, India is in the second position. Paddy production in India reached around 163.7 million tonnes or around 21.59%.

Then, where is Indonesia’s position? Indonesia itself ranks third as the largest rice producer in the world. Based on calculations from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), national rice production in 2022 is estimated to reach 32.07 million tonnes. That number increased by 0.72 million tonnes from 2021, which amounted to 31.36 million tonnes.

Based on the Area Sampling Framework (KSA) method, the national rice harvest area for 2022 will temporarily reach 10.61 million ha. This area increased by 0.19 million ha or 1.87% compared to 2021 which was recorded at 10.41 million ha.

Abundant Rice with the Prosperous Program

There are other factors that contributed to the increase in rice production. This factor is the presence of the Prosperous Program initiated by PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero).

PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (PKT), as a subsidiary of PT Pupuk Indonesia, also takes part in this Prosperous Program. PKT’s real steps can be seen from its success in boosting community agricultural productivity, especially rice commodities in Panca Agung Village, Bulungan Regency, North Kalimantan. The assistance from the Makmur PKT program is able to increase farmers’ yields by up to 5 tons per hectare from the previous maximum of 2 tons per hectare.

Director of Operations and Production of PKT, Hanggara Patrianta, said the Makmur program this time was implemented on an area of ​​24 hectares, with an increase in productivity of up to 150 percent based on the average yield of the farmers. This program is one of PKT’s focuses with Pupuk Indonesia through the synergy of state-owned enterprises (BUMN), to encourage the development of the agricultural sector in supporting the realization of national food security.

Following its objectives, increasing productivity through the Prosperous program is carried out by PKT by facilitating various facilities for farmers. Starting from the provision of agri-inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, access to capital through Himbara, periodic land management assistance, agricultural insurance to anticipate crop failures, to guaranteed purchases of crops by off-takers that are continuously above the average market price.

In addition, the Prosperous program is also an active step by the PKT to invite the younger generation to return to farming and to look at agriculture as a potential sector, while at the same time encouraging the increased use of non-subsidized fertilizers to reduce farmers’ dependence on subsidized fertilizers.

“Through optimizing agricultural governance in the Prosperous program, we can also increase the welfare of farmers. This can see much higher yield productivity with the certainty of buying crops regularly,” explained Hanggara.

To create wider benefits, PKT is targeting 25,000 farmers to become members of the Prosperous program in 2022 in accordance with the RKAP. In addition, there is a target of covering 60,000 hectares of land spread over the Prosperous program development area mandated by the PKT.

The region includes West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, Central Java, East Java, West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, NTB, NTT, and West Papua.

“Several areas of the Prosperous PKT program development, especially in eastern Indonesia, have low regional welfare and economic levels. Therefore, it is hoped that the existence of the Makmur program can ease the burden on farmers in the area and increase their income so that the family economy also increases,” said Project Manager for the Makmur PKT Program, Adrian R.D. Putera.

Rice Types and Flavors

Rice is a source of carbohydrates and a staple food that can be processed as other foods. In addition to carbohydrates, rice also contains various sources of vitamins and minerals. However, consuming large amounts of white rice can trigger various diseases, including increasing cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

In Indonesia, there are at least seven types of rice that are commonly consumed by Indonesian people, namely:

1. Rice Sentra Ramos – IR64

Sentra Ramos rice is long and has no special aroma. Its characteristic after being cooked into rice will have a fluffier texture, not sticky and tasty. In terms of price, IR64 rice is still below Pandan Wangi Rice.

2. Pandan Wangi Rice

As the name implies, Pandan Wangi rice has the aroma of pandan leaves, even after being cooked into the rice. The shape of Pandan Wangi rice is round but not perfect, translucent white but slightly yellowish color with a milky white center. Pandan Wangi rice is a mainstay variety in the Cianjur region, which has a fluffier taste and tends to be sweet.

3. IR42 rice

The shape of IR42 rice is smaller, not too round, with a slightly hard and dry texture after being cooked into rice. It is not uncommon for IR42 rice to be called pera rice with a fairly high price because farmers rarely grow it.

4. Rojolele Rice

Rojolele rice has a slightly elongated round shape with a translucent color and a few milky white parts. This rice has almost the same texture as fragrant pandan rice but does not have pandan flavor. Rojolele rice comes from Central Java and East Java region, which is often the choice for those who don’t like fragrant pandan rice.

5. Lembang Batang Rice

Known as Japanese rice, this particular rice has a long shape with a clear white color. After being cooked into rice, Batang Lembang rice has a very fluffy texture and is a little sticky. This rice is considered the fluffiest rice compared to other rice.

6. Menthik Susu Rice

Japanese-origin rice, which began cultivated in the Magelang area, Central Java, has an oval fat shape and is milky white color like glutinous rice. Menthik Susu Rice has a soft, chewy texture with a special aroma. This rice is Japanese rice that is cultivated in Magelang, Central Java. The superiority of Menthik Susu rice is considered healthier because of the glucose, carbohydrates, and protein in its content that is easily decomposed.

7. Menthik Wangi Rice

Menthik Wangi rice is rice that is cultivated organically so the price is quite high. In terms of taste, Menthik Wangi rice has a fluffier and soft texture. And is believed to be able to help maintain blood pressure, prevent obesity, care for the skin, and even reduce the risk of cancer. (Safaanah)