Self-Sufficiency Serves as Indonesia's Shield Against Global Turbulence

The government is committed to not increasing the price of subsidised fuel during 2026. Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan assesses that Indonesia is in a better position to face global uncertainties, as the government’s strategic policies begin to show results. Amid geopolitical conflicts and global economic instability, President Prabowo Subianto’s policy direction is said to have anticipated risks from the outset, particularly through strengthening the food, energy, and industrial downstreaming sectors. “We are grateful to have leadership capable of reading the global situation. The policies taken are already directed towards strengthening national resilience,” Zulkifli stated in Jakarta on Tuesday (7/4). The government has set three main focuses: food self-sufficiency, energy self-sufficiency, and accelerating downstreaming. Several programmes have even been drastically expedited, from a five-year target to just one year of implementation. The results are starting to show. In the food sector, Indonesia is claimed to have achieved self-sufficiency with abundant rice stocks sufficient for national needs. “If food is secure, we remain strong amid global turbulence. Our rice stocks are more than enough,” Zulkifli said. Although global impacts are still felt, he assesses Indonesia’s position as relatively better compared to several other countries that are not yet prepared to face crisis pressures. Strengthening is also being carried out in various other sectors, from livestock, fisheries, trade, to energy. The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme is part of the strategy to maintain overall national resilience. Amid future challenges, Zulkifli emphasised the importance of unity as the main foundation. “We may have different backgrounds and views, but we are one big Indonesian family that must face these challenges together,” he said. INDEF assesses that Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 2026 could boost the economy in the first and second quarters through the food, transportation, and logistics sectors, supported by government stimuli. Deputy Chairman of Commission IV of the House of Representatives, Abdul Kharis Almasyhari, expressed appreciation for the strategic achievements in the food sector in the first year of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. The realisation of government spending in the food sector in 2025 is still low. From a total budget of Rp54 trillion, up to September only Rp15 trillion or 27 percent has been absorbed. Personnel from the Lubuk Begalung Sector Police, Padang Police Resort, Aipda Dian Wihendro Ratno, provided fertiliser assistance to farmers in Jua Village, Padang City, West Sumatra Province. This potential becomes one of Indonesia’s strengths in facing a world situation full of uncertainties and crises. Prabowo emphasised that the programme is a direct government decision that must be immediately realised. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the government is striving to achieve energy self-sufficiency in Indonesia. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia revealed that 301 oil and gas exploration results have entered the development planning stage. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia revealed that Indonesia’s energy reserve endurance is only able to last for 21 days.