Zulhas Confirms Rice Food Assistance to Continue Until December

The Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas), has ensured that rice food assistance will continue until December 2026. This assistance serves as a manifestation of the state’s presence to assist the community, particularly those unable to afford rice.

“Our brothers and sisters who are unable to buy rice, specifically those in deciles 1, 2, 3, and 4, are provided with what is called food assistance. It is the duty of the Coordinating Minister, the President Director of Bulog, the Minister of Agriculture, and the Minister of Finance to convene. We decided that this food assistance, initially 1 million tonnes, is for our 33.2 million citizens who cannot afford rice,” said Zulhas after distributing food assistance at KDMP Pisang Village, South Lampung, on Friday (11/09/2026).

Zulhas stated that the assistance was originally scheduled to run out in September 2026. However, the programme has been extended until December 2026 because the community is entering a lean season.

“It was set to end this September, even though October, November, and December are part of the lean season,” he explained.

He added that the government is also increasing the supply by an additional 1 million tonnes of rice to ensure the assistance can be distributed until December 2026.

“We have decided in our meeting to add another 1 million tonnes of rice, bringing the total to ensure our 33.2 million citizens who cannot afford rice due to the drought are supported. Therefore, in October, November, and December, more will be distributed,” he concluded.