REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA \u2014 Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman\nhas stated that he will reallocate funds to other regions if local\ngovernments do not seriously implement the rice field expansion\nprogramme as part of efforts to strengthen production and national food\nself-sufficiency. Amran warned that regions that do not demonstrate\nseriousness in implementing this strategic programme to maintain the\nmomentum of rice self-sufficiency will be evaluated, and their funds may\nbe reallocated.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose that are not serious, the regencies that are not serious,\nplease have their funds reduced. The Minister is responsible. Convey\nthat the Minister is responsible,\u201d said Amran during a National\nCoordination Meeting with senior officials and heads of departments\nacross Indonesia, as stated in Jakarta, Wednesday (25\/2\/2026).<\/p>\n
He added that the agricultural budget, which amounts to tens of\ntrillions of rupiah, is a mandate from the people that must be realised\ninto tangible production.<\/p>\n
Therefore, assistance will be prioritised to regions with good\nprogress. Meanwhile, regions with low achievements will have their funds\ntemporarily withheld until improvements are shown.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease, all director generals, reallocate funds from regions with\nlow achievements to those that are diligent. So, regencies and provinces\nthat are not serious will have their funds withdrawn and transferred to\nother provinces and regencies,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He emphasised that this firm measure is a form of responsibility and\nprotection for regions so that they are not burdened with targets that\nthey cannot realise.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is how I show my care; if you are not capable, I will\nreallocate the funds. Rather than having it not run optimally in the\nfuture,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Amran, who also serves as the Head of the National Food Agency\n(Bapanas), affirmed that the rice field expansion programme must not\nfalter. Therefore, he instructed all heads of provincial and\ndistrict\/city agricultural departments to continue accelerating the rice\nfield expansion, land optimisation, and other strategic agricultural\nprogrammes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe momentum of food self-sufficiency that has been achieved must\nnot falter and must be maintained sustainably,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n
He emphasised that rice field expansion is the foundation for\nsustainable self-sufficiency. In 2025, rice field expansion reached\napproximately 200,000 hectares. In 2026, the programme is targeted to\nreach 250,000 hectares.<\/p>\n
Amran said that if combined with the land optimisation programme that\nhas been running for the past few years, food self-sufficiency can be\nsustained for several years to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is what will create the system. This is what will make it\nsustainable,\u201d he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/agriculture-minister-threatens-to-reallocate-funds-to-local-governments-failing-to-support-rice-field-1772011100", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }