Agriculture Minister Safeguards Food Production amid Geopolitical Tensions
The government continues to monitor national food production and stock levels intensively to ensure the public’s needs remain met.
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has assured the government’s commitment to maintaining national food production through anticipatory measures against potential drought caused by El Niño and global geopolitical dynamics that could affect the food sector.
“The government continues to monitor national food production and stock levels intensively to ensure the public’s needs remain met,” said Agriculture Minister Amran during a statement in Jakarta on Monday.
He acknowledged that to maintain productivity amid the current situation, his office continues to strengthen monitoring and internal departmental coordination, including holding a meeting on Sunday (8 March).
Nevertheless, he noted that based on latest data from early March 2026, national food conditions, particularly rice, remain secure. National rice production is recorded at between 2.6 and 5.7 million tonnes monthly, exceeding the national average consumption of approximately 2.59 million tonnes per month.
Total national rice availability currently stands at 27.99 million tonnes, comprising state logistics company Perum Bulog’s stock of 3.76 million tonnes, public stocks of around 12.50 million tonnes, and standing crops or rice ready for harvest totalling 11.73 million tonnes.
“Looking at today’s data, our food availability is extremely secure. Total national rice stocks are sufficient for the next 324 days or approximately 10.8 months, so the public need not worry,” said Amran.
“Our production remains stable, and in some months can reach 5.7 million tonnes, so domestic supply is very strong,” added the Agriculture Minister.
He also stated that the government has prepared various anticipatory measures against potential drought. One includes a pump irrigation programme that covered 1.2 million hectares last year and will expand by a further 1 million hectares this year.
Additionally, Amran said the government is also preparing supplementary pump irrigation systems for 1 million hectares of land to ensure water availability for rice crops during the dry season.
This pump irrigation approach is part of drought anticipation efforts undertaken since the previous year, when the government implemented a similar system on approximately 1.2 million hectares of agricultural land.
“We have anticipated potential drought from the beginning through pump irrigation. Last year we covered 1.2 million hectares, and this year we are expanding by another 1 million hectares to maintain production,” he explained.
With this irrigation reinforcement, the government is optimistic that national food production will remain stable, ensuring food stocks remain secure despite potential El Niño or global geopolitical dynamics.
“We are also not significantly affected by global geopolitical conditions or potential El Niño. Our production is strong and our stocks are secure,” he stressed.
According to him, the government’s rice stocks continue to increase and are estimated to reach 5 million tonnes within the next two months as harvest results arrive from various regions.
Additionally, other food commodities such as poultry and eggs are also in surplus conditions, whilst fertiliser availability is assured with prices having decreased by approximately 20 per cent.
“Fertiliser is sufficient and prices have even dropped around 20 per cent. This is great motivation for farmers to continue planting. God willing, our food security is assured. Production is strong, stocks are sufficient, and we have implemented various anticipatory measures,” said the Agriculture Minister.