Agriculture Minister: El Niño Threat No Issue, Rice Stock Headed to 5 Million Tons

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has emphasised that the threat of the Godzilla El Niño phenomenon is no issue for Indonesia, as the government’s rice reserve stock (CBP) managed by Perum Bulog is projected to reach 5 million tons in the next three days. Amran stated that the current CBP stock stands at 4.9 million tons, the highest in Indonesia’s history, ensuring national food security amid global geopolitics and extreme drought caused by the Godzilla El Niño phenomenon. “If this impact occurs, with Godzilla El Niño, it’s no problem. Why no problem? Because our stock (CBP) will, God willing, reach 5 million tons in the next three days, the highest since the Republic’s independence,” said the Minister when met after a meeting with 170 regents across Indonesia at the Ministry of Agriculture Office in Jakarta on Monday. Amran emphasised that despite the drought, rice stocks are abundant, nearly double those of previous years, making the government optimistic that no food crisis will occur even as it faces global dynamics and climate change. In addition to reserves well-managed in Perum Bulog warehouses, national rice availability is supported by standing crops or rice ready for harvest projected at 11 million tons, to strengthen food security amid potential El Niño impacts. The government also notes rice availability in the Horeka sector (Hotels, Restaurants, Cafes/Catering) at 12.5 million tons, so the total managed rice reserves are very substantial and sufficient to meet needs for the next 11 months. The total potential combined stock from government warehouses, standing crops, and the Horeka sector is estimated to exceed consumption needs, providing a very solid guarantee of food security for all Indonesian people.