PORTALJABAR, KARAWANG REGENCY - Karawang Regency hosted a simultaneous Rice Stem Borer (PBP) Control Movement (Gerdal) initiated by the Directorate of Food Crop Protection, Directorate General of Food Crops, Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan). The activity was held in Sukamakmur Village, Rawamerta District, Karawang Regency, on Tuesday (April 21, 2026).

This activity was carried out massively in 10 main national rice-producing provinces, 27 districts/cities in West Java Province, and 30 sub-districts in Karawang Regency.

The Director of Food Crop Protection at the Ministry of Agriculture, Rachmat, emphasized that pest control is key to a successful harvest. He hopes this initiative will encourage farmers to continue their own pest control efforts with ongoing support from Agricultural Extension Workers (PPL) and Plant Pest Control Officers (POPT).

According to him, these activities will continue at the field level through technical assistance to farmers to ensure that the threat of rice stem borer pests can be suppressed early.

"We are working hard, starting from the seedbed, to ensure a successful harvest. Let's work together to protect our crops from pests and diseases to achieve sustainable rice self-sufficiency in 2026," he said.

Meanwhile, Rohman, Head of the Karawang Regency Agriculture, Food Security, and Fisheries Agency, stated that in 2025, paddy production in Karawang Regency will reach 1.43 million tons of dry milled grain (GKG). This figure exceeds the initial target of 1.41 million tons.

He added that there was excess production of around 53 thousand tons or 0.39 percent of the set target.

Rohman emphasized that the control movement carried out was not merely a ceremonial activity, but a real step to break the life cycle of the rice stem borer pest.

"We urge farmers to plant rice simultaneously. Otherwise, pests such as butterflies will easily move from one field to another," he said.

The activity was also attended by Plant Pest Organism Officers (POPT), Agricultural Management Technical Implementation Units (UPTD), Field Agricultural Extension Workers (PPL), and Persons in Charge (PJ) of Food Self-Sufficiency at the district/city level.

(Karawang Regency Communications and Information Service/bhf)