Gov’t Reiterates Commitment to Maintaining National Food Security

President Prabowo Subianto at the 2025 Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) Congress at Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta, Central Java province, Sunday (07/20). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto Sunday (07/20) announced a significant milestone in Indonesia’s national food security, reporting that rice reserves in government warehouses have reached 4.2 million tons.

“Our food production has never before reached more than 4.2 million tons of rice reserves in government warehouses. Corn production has also increased by 30 percent, while rice production rose by 48 percent. We will work hard to maintain this,” the President said in his remarks at the 2025 Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) Congress at Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta, Central Java province.

Nevertheless, the President stressed the need for stricter oversight in food distribution to prevent malpractice and slammed the manipulation of rice prices by unscrupulous entrepreneurs, who repackage regular rice as premium to earn excessive profits.

“Regular rice is being sold under the premium label, with prices inflated arbitrarily. This is a violation. I have instructed the Attorney General and the police to investigate and take firm action against such practices, without discrimination,” he added.

The Head of State also warned that manipulative distribution practices are costing the nation significantly.

“I have received reports that these actions result in losses of Rp100 trillion annually,” he said.

The President concluded by highlighting the potential impact of the total loss if appropriately managed.

“Just imagine what we could achieve with Rp100 trillion: we might even be able to eradicate poverty,” the President remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (GWH/EP)