Bulog CEO Confident of Achieving 4 Million Tonne Rice Target in July Despite El Niño

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Perum Bulog’s President Director Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani is optimistic that the target of absorbing 4 million tonnes of rice from the government in 2026 can be achieved by July, despite facing potential drought due to the Godzilla El Niño phenomenon. “Our prediction is, God willing, by the end of July (2026) we can exceed the 4 million tonne (rice equivalent) absorption target,” Rizal said after the Meeting to Accelerate the Realisation of Funding for Paddy Absorption Equivalent to Rice at Bulog’s Jakarta office on Monday. He stated that Bulog has prepared various contingency measures to anticipate the impact of El Niño, including strategies to accelerate paddy absorption amid the dynamics of changing weather conditions. According to him, the May to July period, expected to be the peak of El Niño, coincides with the main harvest season in various national rice production centres. The hot weather during the harvest period is considered advantageous for farmers as it aids the natural drying process of paddy, thereby improving the quality of the harvest to be better and optimal. Bulog is urging all regional and branch leaders in the areas to maximise paddy absorption during the harvest period up to July in order to secure the national target. This acceleration measure also serves as an anticipatory strategy if El Niño lasts longer until the end of the year, which could potentially affect agricultural production in several regions. Rizal mentioned that as of 13 April 2026, Bulog’s absorption achievement is recorded at around 48.7 percent or equivalent to 1.9 million tonnes of rice from the target set by the government. This achievement, according to Rizal, is quite progressive considering it is still early in the year, thus providing room for optimism to chase the remaining absorption target until mid-year. In addition, Bulog’s current rice stock reaches 4.727 million tonnes and is projected to exceed 5 million tonnes in the near future along with the ongoing acceleration of absorption. Rizal noted that this year’s target has increased compared to the previous year, which was 3 million tonnes and successfully achieved as part of efforts to strengthen national food self-sufficiency. With an achievement of almost half the target in April, Bulog only needs to pursue about 50 percent of the remaining absorption target in the coming months in a measured and planned manner. He is optimistic that with the absorption acceleration strategy and the harvest momentum, the 4 million tonne rice target can be achieved by the end of July 2026 as per the prepared projection. “The 4 million tonne (rice equivalent) target, we are now in April having reached 1.9 million tonnes or almost 48 percent. That means only 50 percent left. Hopefully this can be achieved like last year,” said Rizal.