Bapanas Bolsters Preparedness to Face El Niño

The National Food Agency (Bapanas) is enhancing its preparedness for the dry season and the El Niño phenomenon by strengthening the Government Food Reserve (CPP). This measure aims to ensure national food availability is maintained, not only for rice but also for various other strategic food commodities.

Head of Bapanas Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that the government had prepared anticipatory steps well before the peak of the dry season arrives. Strengthening food stocks is part of the strategy to maintain national food security amid potential production disruptions due to extreme weather.

‘We have indeed prepared well in advance to face El Niño. We had experience in 2023, and thank God we got through it. God willing, our food supply is safe, especially rice,’ said the official, who also serves as Minister of Agriculture, as quoted on Friday (17/7/2026).

According to Amran, rice self-sufficiency is a priority because the commodity still dominates the consumption of Indonesian society. He noted that Indonesia is no longer importing medium-grade rice, which serves as an important indicator of success in maintaining national food availability.

In addition to rice, the government is also ensuring the availability of CPP stocks for several other strategic commodities. As of 8 July 2026, the government’s rice reserve at Perum Bulog reached 5.2 million tonnes, while the feed corn reserve was recorded at 188,000 tonnes, prepared to support the supply and price stabilisation programme for poultry farmers.

Bapanas Principal Secretary Sarwo Edhy said the government continues to strengthen food reserves, increase production, facilitate distribution, and enhance collaboration with all stakeholders as steps to address the impact of El Niño.