CNBC Indonesia recently released a statement from the Central\nStatistics Agency (BPS) estimating that national rice production from\nJanuary to May 2026 will reach 16.57 million tonnes, a decrease of 0.38\nmillion tonnes (2.22%) compared to the same period in 2025.<\/p>\n
This decline occurs alongside weakening paddy (unhusked rice)\nproduction, influenced by a reduction in harvested area, as well as\nconditions related to the planting area at the beginning of the year. In\ndetail, BPS recorded paddy production (dried milled grain\/GKG) from\nJanuary to May 2026 at 28.77 million tonnes, down 0.65 million tonnes or\n2.22% from the same period the previous year.<\/p>\n
In February 2026, paddy production temporarily increased to 5.05\nmillion tonnes GKG, up 27.41% year-on-year. However, the future trend is\nexpected to weaken. BPS estimates the potential paddy production for\nMarch to May 2026 at 20.68 million tonnes GKG, a 11.12% drop compared to\nthe same period in 2025.<\/p>\n
This decline is the main factor pressuring rice production during\nthat period. A drop in production is certainly undesirable when the\ngovernment aims to achieve sustainable rice self-sufficiency. Reduced\nproduction could have a significant impact on sustainable rice\nself-sufficiency.<\/p>\n
Some of its impacts include, first, dependency on imports. If\ndomestic rice production falls, Indonesia may need to import more rice\nto meet domestic needs, which could burden the state budget.<\/p>\n
Second, price increases. A shortage of rice supply could cause prices\nto rise, affecting people\u2019s purchasing power, especially those with low\nincomes.<\/p>\n
Third, food vulnerability. A decline in rice production could\nthreaten national food availability, particularly if there is\ninsufficient stock.<\/p>\n
Fourth, impact on farmers. Falling rice production could also affect\nfarmers\u2019 incomes, potentially influencing their welfare.<\/p>\n
To maintain sustainable rice self-sufficiency, it is important to\nincrease rice productivity and production through modern agricultural\ntechnology, good irrigation, and appropriate policy support.<\/p>\n
There are several steps that can be taken to anticipate the decline\nin rice production. For example, increasing productivity. Use modern\nagricultural technology, such as superior paddy varieties, and more\nefficient farming practices.<\/p>\n
Next, good water management. Ensure adequate irrigation and effective\nwater management to optimise harvest yields.<\/p>\n
Crop diversification can also be pursued. Encourage farmers to plant\nother crops besides rice, such as maize or soybeans, to reduce\ndependency on rice. Then, infrastructure improvement. Enhance\nagricultural infrastructure, such as roads, warehouses, and post-harvest\nprocessing facilities.<\/p>\n
It can also be done through increased policy support. The government\ncan provide incentives, subsidies, or other policies to support farmers\nand boost rice production, or through pest and disease control.<\/p>\n
Conduct effective pest and disease control for crops to reduce\nharvest losses. Even other steps are needed, such as increasing farmers\u2019\ncapacity. Provide training and guidance for farmers.<\/p>\n
The aim is to enhance their ability to manage land and increase\nyields. With these steps, it is hoped that rice production will increase\nand sustainable rice self-sufficiency can be achieved.<\/p>\n
In response to this, farmers\u2019 attitudes in taking concrete actions in\nthe field are very much needed. Farmers\u2019 readiness to face the decline\nin rice production depends on several factors, such as first, access to\ntechnology.<\/p>\n
Farmers who have access to modern agricultural technology, such as\ntractors, water pumps, and irrigation systems, are better prepared to\nface production challenges. Second, experience and knowledge. Farmers\nwho are experienced and have knowledge of good farming practices are\nbetter able to cope with production changes.<\/p>\n
Third, access to markets. Farmers with good market access can sell\ntheir harvests at better prices, thus being more prepared to face\nproduction declines. Fourth, finances. Farmers with stable finances can\nbe better prepared to face production declines and take risks to\nincrease production.<\/p>\n
However, many farmers in Indonesia still face challenges such as\nlimited capital. Smallholder farmers often have limited capital to\npurchase the necessary agricultural inputs.<\/p>\n
Next, limited skills. Farmers may not have sufficient skills to cope\nwith production changes. Another factor is dependency on weather.<\/p>\n
Farmers are still heavily dependent on the weather, so climate change\ncan affect production. To increase farmers\u2019 readiness, efforts by the\ngovernment and other parties are needed to provide support, such as\ntraining, access to technology, and financial assistance.<\/p>\n
It is hoped that all this will serve as a collective reflection at a\ntime when our nation is striving hard to achieve sustainable rice\nself-sufficiency.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/beware-of-the-decline-in-rice-production-1775962243", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }