Indonesia Targets Food Self-Sufficiency with New Agricultural Initiatives

Jakarta, Indonesianpost.com – Reported by Antara, In the face of global challenges such as geopolitical tensions and climate change, the Indonesian government remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring national food security. Through a series of concrete measures, the government is working tirelessly to maintain adequate food stocks and ensure their equitable distribution across the nation. The long-term goal is clear: to achieve sustainable food self-sufficiency.

The government is optimistic about achieving a surplus in key food products such as rice, corn, and meat by the end of 2025. This optimism is not unfounded, as data and production trends point to significant growth in these sectors.

As of May 4, 2025, national rice stocks have surged from 8.4 million tons at the start of the year to 14.8 million tons. Corn stocks have increased from 3.5 million tons to 5.8 million tons, while chicken meat stocks have jumped from 83 thousand tons to 548 thousand tons. Ruminant meat, including beef and buffalo meat, has seen a similar increase, rising from 65 thousand tons to 114 thousand tons.

Looking ahead, it is projected that by the end of 2025, total rice availability will reach 41.2 million tons. With national consumption standing at 3.8 million tons, a surplus of 469 thousand tons is expected. Similarly, ruminant meat production is expected to reach 1.1 million tons, with a surplus of 345 thousand tons, given a national consumption of 766 thousand tons.

This surplus is more than just a statistical achievement—it represents the government’s commitment to ensuring that the basic needs of the Indonesian people are met, especially at a time when other countries are facing food crises due to various factors, including climate-related challenges.

During a Plenary Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Palace, President Prabowo Subianto highlighted the positive outcomes of the national food policy. Several world leaders have acknowledged Indonesia’s success in maintaining food stability amid global pressures. According to the president, this international recognition is a result of the hard work and collaboration across all sectors of the nation to build a resilient food system.

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However, the government also acknowledges that a surplus in production alone does not solve all the challenges related to food security. Unequal distribution remains a challenge, and extreme weather conditions caused by climate change could still threaten harvests in some regions.

In response to these challenges, the government has implemented several integrated strategies. One key measure is the expansion of planting areas, with a target of 1.6 million hectares in strategic regions. This initiative is supported by the provision of 9.5 million tons of subsidized fertilizer, backed by a budget of Rp44.16 trillion (approximately US\$2.71 billion). Additionally, Rp10 trillion (around US\$615.5 million) has been allocated for agricultural tools and machinery, including tractors, rice planting and harvesting machines, and water pumps, all designed to improve planting and harvesting efficiency.

The modernization of agricultural tools is expected to boost the productivity of farmers and mitigate the effects of extreme weather events. In addition, the government has taken steps to improve the welfare of farmers by increasing the Government Purchase Price (HPP) for unhusked rice. As of January 2025, the price of dry unhusked rice has been raised from Rp6,000 to Rp6,500 (around US\$0.39) per kilogram.

Kodiman, chairman of the Sumber Makmur Farmers Group Association in Serang, Banten, welcomed this policy, noting a 36 percent increase in his group’s harvests. He also reported that fertilizer distribution has been smooth, rice prices have remained stable, and irrigation systems are functioning well.

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In the livestock sector, the government has allocated an additional budget of Rp2.1 trillion (around US\$129.08 million) to support livestock breeding, provide quality feed, and implement vaccination programs to prevent the spread of animal diseases. These efforts are crucial for ensuring the sustainability of domestic animal protein production.

Arief Prasetyo Adi, Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), emphasized that the government’s food policies not only focus on stock availability but also aim to strengthen the entire food system, from production to distribution. He underscored the importance of maintaining the three key pillars of availability, affordability, and accessibility, which are essential for food security and sovereignty.

With these strategic measures and ongoing efforts, Indonesia is steadily moving toward becoming a self-sufficient and resilient nation in managing its food resources. (BL)