Agriculture Minister Threatens to Reallocate Funds to Local Governments Failing to Support Rice Field Expansion Programme

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has stated that he will reallocate funds to other regions if local governments do not seriously implement the rice field expansion programme as part of efforts to strengthen production and national food self-sufficiency. Amran warned that regions that do not demonstrate seriousness in implementing this strategic programme to maintain the momentum of rice self-sufficiency will be evaluated, and their funds may be reallocated.

“Those that are not serious, the regencies that are not serious, please have their funds reduced. The Minister is responsible. Convey that the Minister is responsible,” said Amran during a National Coordination Meeting with senior officials and heads of departments across Indonesia, as stated in Jakarta, Wednesday (25/2/2026).

He added that the agricultural budget, which amounts to tens of trillions of rupiah, is a mandate from the people that must be realised into tangible production.

Therefore, assistance will be prioritised to regions with good progress. Meanwhile, regions with low achievements will have their funds temporarily withheld until improvements are shown.

“Please, all director generals, reallocate funds from regions with low achievements to those that are diligent. So, regencies and provinces that are not serious will have their funds withdrawn and transferred to other provinces and regencies,” he said.

He emphasised that this firm measure is a form of responsibility and protection for regions so that they are not burdened with targets that they cannot realise.

“This is how I show my care; if you are not capable, I will reallocate the funds. Rather than having it not run optimally in the future,” he said.

Amran, who also serves as the Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), affirmed that the rice field expansion programme must not falter. Therefore, he instructed all heads of provincial and district/city agricultural departments to continue accelerating the rice field expansion, land optimisation, and other strategic agricultural programmes.

“The momentum of food self-sufficiency that has been achieved must not falter and must be maintained sustainably,” he stressed.

He emphasised that rice field expansion is the foundation for sustainable self-sufficiency. In 2025, rice field expansion reached approximately 200,000 hectares. In 2026, the programme is targeted to reach 250,000 hectares.

Amran said that if combined with the land optimisation programme that has been running for the past few years, food self-sufficiency can be sustained for several years to come.

“This is what will create the system. This is what will make it sustainable,” he said.