Agriculture Minister: Indonesia Will Achieve Rice Self-Sufficiency This Year

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman Monday (06/02) expressed optimism that Indonesia could achieve rice self-sufficiency by the end of the year.

“The President initially gave us a four-year target to achieve (rice) self-sufficiency, which was later shortened to three years. Hopefully, this year we won’t need to import rice,” said Amran in a press statement after a limited cabinet meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Central Jakarta.

According to him, Indonesia’s national rice stock has now surpassed 4 million tons—the highest level in 57 years. “Back in 1984, we reached 3 million tons. This year, it’s more than 4 million,” he added.

The Minister also highlighted a positive economic indicator: the farmer’s terms of trade rose to 121 in May, compared to 116 year-on-year. This increase, he said, was supported by budget allocations from Ministry of Finance.

In addition, to strengthen purchasing power and stabilize rice prices, the Government plans to distribute social assistance in the form of 180,000 tons of rice per month over two months, totaling 360,000 tons. The aid will target non-rice-producing and urban areas.

“We will distribute two months’ worth of rice at once in areas like Papua and Maluku. The same applies to urban centers that don’t produce rice,” Amran explained.

The Minister further said that rice-producing regions, particularly in Java, must still be protected to ensure a fair price for farmers and consumers. “This is our strategy—to maintain healthy prices at both the farmer and consumer levels,” he added.

Amran concluded by assuring that the national food stocks remain secure and that rice absorption from farmers this month could reach between 400,000 and 500,000 tons.

“Since we will only be releasing 360,000 tons, it’s possible that rice absorption from farmers this month could reach 400,000 to 500,000 tons,” he concluded. (BPMI Presidential Secretariat) (GWH/LW)