Indonesia's Rice Stock Claimed Safe in Facing El Nino
The government’s rice stock is confirmed to be safe in addressing the dynamics of the El Nino climate phenomenon. Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Andi Amran Sulaiman said the Government Rice Reserve (CBP) stock of more than 5 million tonnes is claimed to be able to minimise the impact of the climate phenomenon, including for disasters and emergency situations.
The Head of Bapanas, who is also the Minister of Agriculture, stated that balance in every line of the supply chain will continue to be maintained by the government.
“Our stock now, despite El Nino, is the highest. But thank God our reserve is the highest since this Republic was founded, namely 5.1 million tonnes. Prices rise, consumers are angry. Prices fall, farmers are angry. Prices are moderate, businesses are angry. So the government’s burden is very heavy,” said Amran in Jakarta, Tuesday (25/8).
Nevertheless, he said there are challenges from the climate phenomenon that have implications for rice prices. The current condition of rice prices on the world market is said to be climbing, but Indonesia is ensuring that no people go hungry because the national rice stock is very adequate.
“Our food preparedness is complete. Even though world rice prices are rising, one of them in Japan has reached Rp100,000 per kilo. But some say, don’t compare. If there is no rice, what then? First, the Indonesian people could go hungry. We ensure that does not happen,” Amran stressed.
One of the things that is ensured is the availability of rice for communities affected by natural disasters. Rice supplies will be distributed by Perum Bulog. Currently, the government is still working together to help communities affected by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
As of 24 August 2026, he continued, Bapanas has increased the allocation of disaster rice aid and regular rice food assistance to a total of 9.98 thousand tonnes for 7 affected districts in NTT, with an estimated value of Rp139 billion. The 9.98 thousand tonnes consists of an allocation of 1.32 thousand tonnes for the disaster assistance programme and 8.65 thousand tonnes for the regular rice food assistance programme.
The allocation of 1.32 thousand tonnes of disaster assistance is derived from a calculation of 265,375 people at 300 grams of rice per person per day for 14 days of the emergency response period in this first phase. However, to facilitate distribution, through the Decree of the Head of the National Food Agency Number 2 of 2026, the amount of rice for the disaster assistance programme has been set at 5 kilograms per person for the 14-day emergency response allocation.