Anticipating Climate Change, Titiek Soeharto Urges Government to Strengthen Food Reserves

JAKARTA - Chair of Commission IV of the House of Representatives, Siti Hediati Hariyadi or Titiek Soeharto, has urged the government to strengthen the national food reserves. Strengthening food reserves is necessary to anticipate conditions ranging from geopolitical issues to climate change. “Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives urges relevant ministries and agencies to strengthen government food reserves and ensure the stabilisation of food supply and prices amid global dynamics and climate change,” Titiek said during a hearing (RDP) discussing national food security, quoted from the YouTube broadcast of TVR Parlemen, Tuesday (7/4/2026). To achieve this, she encouraged the government to ensure the availability of seeds and fertilisers, strengthen irrigation, and provide support tools for farmers. “Efforts to maintain food security must be carried out in an integrated manner, starting from increasing production, strengthening food reserves, to stabilising distribution and food prices,” Titiek stated. She believes the projected surplus of several food commodities will enable Indonesia to face the El Nino phenomenon. “Food challenges are becoming more complex, influenced by geopolitical dynamics and climate change. However, based on projections of the national food balance up to May 2026, strategic national food is in a surplus and relatively safe condition,” said Amran during the RDP. Furthermore, chicken meat is also projected to have a surplus of 837,000 tonnes, considering a supply projection of 2.52 million tonnes and demand of 1.68 million tonnes. Meanwhile, the national chicken egg supply is predicted to have a surplus of 423,000 tonnes based on an availability projection of 3.16 million tonnes and demand of 2.73 million tonnes. As for corn, it is projected to have a surplus of 4.35 million tonnes, considering a supply projection of 11.49 million tonnes and demand of 7.13 million tonnes. In addition, Amran explained that national food stocks reach 28 million tonnes, while monthly consumption needs are around 2.6 million tonnes. “If El Nino occurs, our production will still be around 2 million tonnes per month. El Nino is estimated to last six months, while our preparations cover 10-11 months. That means it’s safe,” Amran said.