Agriculture Minister: Indonesia's Rice Stockpile Stable at 4.5 Million Tonnes Amid Middle East Turmoil

Makassar, South Sulawesi (ANTARA) - Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that the government’s rice reserve stock, managed by Perum Bulog, remains stable at 4.5 million tonnes amid Middle East turmoil, thereby maintaining national food security and safety. “(The government’s rice stock) is now approximately 4.5 million tonnes. This is the highest it has ever been since the republic was founded. So, there’s no need to doubt it,” said the Minister during a break from inspecting the Bulog Panaikang Warehouse together with the Deputy Director of Perum Bulog, Marga Taufiq, in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday. He explained that the surge in rice stock is a tangible result of government policies that have promoted rapid production increases, enabling the realisation of self-sufficiency in the commodity. This was achieved through policies such as raising the government’s purchase price (HPP) for unmilled rice to Rp6,500 per kilogram, reducing subsidised fertiliser prices by 20 per cent, modern agricultural transformation, and various other strategic policies. “Now, in line with Mr President Prabowo’s directives, the President’s top priority programme has proven it can increase rice production in a short time, just one year,” he stated. According to him, the current stock conditions have even exceeded available warehouse capacities, necessitating the government to expand storage space through rental schemes. “Our warehouses are full; the warehouse capacity is only 3 million tonnes, now we’ve rented 2 million tonnes of warehouse space. We will rent more in the future. Possibly, in the next 10 days or 20 days, the stock (of rice) will reach 5 million tonnes,” he said. Minister Amran also emphasised that this achievement is unprecedented in Indonesia’s history. “Have you ever heard of the Republic of Indonesia having a rice stock of 5 million tonnes? So, no need to worry, food is secure,” he asserted. At the regional level, the stock increase is also significant, particularly in South Sulawesi, which now reaches 761,000 tonnes, more than double the previous amount. “In South Sulawesi alone, it used to be 300,000 tonnes, today (the rice stock) is 761,000 tonnes, double. The national stock is 4.5 million tonnes. In another 20 days, 5 million tonnes, and it’s not impossible that in the next two months it will be 6 million tonnes,” he explained. To support the absorption of farmers’ produce, the government is also continuously expanding storage capacities. “Imagine, in the past, warehouses were rented out to people because they were empty. Now, we’re renting warehouses,” said Amran. He assured that the abundant stock conditions have been directly verified through thorough on-site inspections. “We must check directly. We must not pretend. We see it upfront, we see the trucks. This is the rearmost warehouse, all full,” Amran stressed. “Please convey this to those who don’t believe it. And those who don’t believe can check the warehouses across Indonesia,” he added. With this achievement, the government is optimistic that national food security will be maintained in the long term. He further noted that considering the stock, reserves in the horeca sector (hotels, restaurants, and cafes), and the ongoing harvest potential, national food availability is ensured to be safe. “That means, for the next 11 months, it’s safe. Stock for the Indonesian people is safe for the next 11 months,” said Amran.