Bapanas: Domestic Rice Absorption Without Imports Boosts Farmers' Exchange Value

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Food Agency (Bapanas) emphasises that the absorption of domestic rice without imports is boosting farmers’ exchange value (NTP), in line with increased production and efforts to maintain the stability of national food supply and prices.

“Today, alhamdulillah, is the day when farmers’ happiness is achieved. Why? Because production is increasing, so farmers’ income is rising,” said the Head of Bapanas and Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Bapanas records that the realisation of procurement equivalent to rice from domestic production up to early May 2026 has exceeded the January-May 2025 realisation. As of 3 May, Bulog has absorbed the equivalent of 2.53 million tonnes of rice, or 63.3 percent of this year’s 4 million tonne target.

“This achievement has surpassed the rice absorption realisation for January-May last year, which was around 2.47 million tonnes,” Amran stated.

He explained that Indonesia is no longer importing common rice typically consumed by the public. However, there is indeed an import of special rice that truly cannot be grown in Indonesia, and the amount is very small.

“Well, some say this is 2024 (still) importing, why did it suddenly stop? That’s our expertise. Then (they say still) importing, yes, this is what’s confusing. There’s an import of 0.000 something percent, that’s (special rice) basmati which is not grown in Indonesia. It can’t grow (in Indonesia),” Amran clarified.

“What we mean by rice self-sufficiency is the medium (type). (Rice) that is consumed every day by Indonesians,” Amran added.