Gov’t Guarantees Surplus in National Rice Production

Vice Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono delivers a press statement following a meeting with President Prabowo on food security and staple food price stability at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Wednesday (03/12). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a surplus in national agricultural production amidst the food crisis affecting several countries.

According to Vice Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono, national rice production is projected to exceed the demand until April 2025 compared to the previous year’s production, ranging between 2.8 and 3 million tons.

“[The President] ordered us to maintain the surplus as other countries are facing rice scarcity. Malaysia, the Philippines, and Japan are facing a rice crisis,” he said in his press statement following a meeting on food security and staple food price stability with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (03/12).

Sudaryono pointed out that the meeting discussed measures to increase long-term production, adding that the Government has aimed to stop importing rice by maintaining an annual surplus of 5-6 million tons.

“Our annual production amounts to approximately 30 million or 31 million tons. If we want to completely stop importing rice, our surplus must be around 5-6 million tons in a year,” he said.

The Vice Minister also stressed the need to accelerate agricultural processes to ensure an increase in production, adding that farmers are expected to begin planting immediately after harvest so that there will be three harvests a year.

“Once ripe, [crops] must be immediately harvested, immediately sold, and the land must immediately be cultivated. The interval between harvest and cultivation cannot be long,” he said.

Sudaryono also pointed out that the meeting discussed the role of Red-and-White Cooperatives in distributing agricultural products and providing supplies to farmers, including fertilizers, pesticides, and staple food at affordable prices.

Regarding the relatively high rice prices in the ASEAN region, Sudaryono said that the Government would optimize market operations and shorten the distribution chain to lower prices for consumers without disadvantaging farmers.

“We want the Red-and-White Cooperatives to move, then we will also carry out market operations with post offices. We will also optimize the role of Bulog (State Logistics Agency) more than ever. The objective is to shorten the distribution chain,” he said, adding that a shorter distribution chain would prevent grafts and make good prices for both consumers and producers.

The Vice Minister further stated that the Government would take firm actions against fraudulent practices in the distribution of essential goods, including cooking oil—which has become a major concern, adding that several companies have been reported to the police.

“The President said that no one should profit at the expense of the people’s interests; no one should enjoy the people’s misery. Do not sacrifice the people for a temporary gain,” he remarked. (BPMI Setpres) (DH/MMB)