Agriculture Minister Vows Budget Reallocation for Regions Failing to Seriously Expand Rice Fields
Those who are not serious, those regencies that are not serious, please have their budgets reduced to zero; the Minister (of Agriculture) will be responsible.
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman affirmed that he will reallocate the budget to other regions if regional governments do not seriously implement the rice field expansion programme as part of strengthening national food production and self-sufficiency.
Amran reminded that regions that do not demonstrate seriousness in implementing strategic programmes to maintain the momentum of rice self-sufficiency will be evaluated, and their budgets may even be reallocated.
“Those who are not serious, those regencies that are not serious, please have their budgets reduced to zero; the Minister (of Agriculture) will be responsible. Please convey that the Minister (of Agriculture) will be responsible,” said the Minister during a National Coordination Meeting with senior officials and heads of departments across Indonesia, as stated in Jakarta on Wednesday.
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, while regions with low achievements will have their assistance temporarily withheld until they show improvement.
“Please, all director generals, reallocate the budget from regions with low achievements to those that are diligent. So, the regencies and provinces that are not serious will have their budgets reduced 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 achieve.
“This is my way of showing care; if you cannot do it, I will reallocate the budget. It’s better 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, and he instructed all heads of provincial and district/city agricultural departments to continue accelerating the expansion of rice fields, optimising land use, 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 the expansion of rice fields is the foundation for sustainable self-sufficiency. In 2025, the expansion of rice fields will reach approximately 200,000 hectares. In 2026, the programme is targeted to reach 250,000 hectares.
Amran said that when 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 our self-sufficiency sustainable,” said Amran.
On that occasion, Amran also expressed his appreciation for the synergy of various parties in realising food self-sufficiency.
He evaluated the progress of rice field expansion per province and asked all regions to report significant progress by the end of March 2026.
“Indonesia is honoured for achieving self-sufficiency in the shortest possible time. In the future, we will accelerate,” said Amran.
In addition to rice, the Minister also affirmed the government’s focus on accelerating self-sufficiency in soybeans and garlic, in accordance with the direction of President Prabowo Subianto, as well as strengthening the downstream processing of plantation commodities such as cocoa, coffee, coconuts, pepper, and others.
“With measured acceleration measures, disciplined budget realisation, and synergy between the central and regional levels, the Ministry of Agriculture is optimistic that the momentum of food self-sufficiency can continue to be strengthened,” Amran added.
The government aims to increase production not only in the short term but also to build a strong and sustainable system for national food security and the welfare of Indonesian farmers.
Copyright © ANTARA 2026
It is strictly prohibited to take content, crawl or automatically index for AI on this website without written permission from the ANTARA News Agency.
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman affirmed that he will reallocate the budget to other regions if regional governments do not seriously implement the rice field expansion programme as part of strengthening national food production and self-sufficiency.
Amran reminded that regions that do not demonstrate seriousness in implementing strategic programmes to maintain the momentum of rice self-sufficiency will be evaluated, and their budgets may even be reallocated.
“Those who are not serious, those regencies that are not serious, please have their budgets reduced to zero; the Minister (of Agriculture) will be responsible. Please convey that the Minister (of Agriculture) will be responsible,” said the Minister during a National Coordination Meeting with senior officials and heads of departments across Indonesia, as stated in Jakarta on Wednesday.
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, while regions with low achievements will have their assistance temporarily withheld until they show improvement.
“Please, all director generals, reallocate the budget from regions with low achievements to those that are diligent. So, the regencies and provinces that are not serious will have their budgets reduced 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 achieve.
“This is my way of showing care; if you cannot do it, I will reallocate the budget. It’s better 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, and he instructed all heads of provincial and district/city agricultural departments to continue accelerating the expansion of rice fields, optimising land use, 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 the expansion of rice fields is the foundation for sustainable self-sufficiency. In 2025, the expansion of rice fields will reach approximately 200,000 hectares. In 2026, the programme is targeted to reach 250,000 hectares.
Amran said that when 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 our self-sufficiency sustainable,” said Amran.
On that occasion, Amran also expressed his appreciation for the synergy of various parties in realising food self-sufficiency.
He evaluated the progress of rice field expansion per province and asked all regions to report significant progress by the end of March 2026.
“Indonesia is honoured for achieving self-sufficiency in the shortest possible time. In the future, we will accelerate,” said Amran.
In addition to rice, the Minister also affirmed the government’s focus on accelerating self-sufficiency in soybeans and garlic, in accordance with the direction of President Prabowo Subianto, as well as strengthening the downstream processing of plantation commodities such as cocoa, coffee, coconuts, pepper, and others.
“With measured acceleration measures, disciplined budget realisation, and synergy between the central and regional levels, the Ministry of Agriculture is optimistic that the momentum of food self-sufficiency can continue to be strengthened,” Amran added.
The government aims to increase production not only in the short term but also to build a strong and sustainable system for national food security and the welfare of Indonesian farmers.
Copyright © ANTARA 2026
It is strictly prohibited to take content, crawl or automatically index for AI on this website without written permission from the ANTARA News Agency.