Govt assures rice supply secure through next year amid El Nino

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2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has assured the public that Indonesia’s rice supply is sufficient to meet domestic demand ahead of Christmas 2026 and the 2027 New Year, backed by government reserves of around 4.5 million metric tons and steady domestic production.

“Rice, which remains a strategic staple, has maintained sustainable self-sufficiency over the past two years of this administration. We didn’t import last year, and we haven’t imported this year either,” Amran said.

Speaking at a food coordination meeting in Jakarta on Monday, he said the strong supply reinforces national food security amid El Niño threats and ensures public rice needs are fully met.

The national rice availability is supported by government reserves, ongoing standing crops, and stocks circulating among the public.

Amran explained that reserves managed by the state logistics agency Bulog stand at around 4.5 million metric tons. Overall national availability is further supported by standing crops still in the fields, as well as stocks held by households and the hotel, restaurant, and catering (Horeca) sector.

With national consumption standing at roughly 2.5 million metric tons per month, the government remains confident that the supply will stay secure.

Based on total national availability calculations, the minister estimated that the current supply could last through July or August 2027.

“Our standing crop is at 10 million tons, the Horeca sector holds another 10 million tons, and Bulog has 4.5 million tons, bringing the total to about 25 million tons,” he explained, noting that the total supply can sustain the country for 10 months.

To ensure continuous production amid El Niño threats, the government has also prepared several precautionary measures, including water pumping programs, land optimization, irrigation repairs, and drought-tolerant seed use.

These efforts are part of a strategy to keep rice production sustainable, ensuring that supply security relies not only on existing reserves but is also supported by domestic production capacity.

Sustaining rice self-sufficiency without imports provides crucial momentum for the government to safeguard national food security, including during periods of peak demand toward the end of the year.

The Ministry of Agriculture continues to bolster domestic production and mitigate climate risks to ensure rice supply remains secure.