"We are making improvements. We particularly want to make the food ecosystem healthy," he said in a statement here on Thursday.
According to him, several aspects of production have been improved, from the provision of subsidized fertilizers, seeds, and agricultural machines to the improvement of irrigation systems that are targeted to be completed by next year.
He noted that the rice field development, increasing paddy production, and realizing a more integrated distribution are essential parts of building a sustainable food ecosystem.
The minister emphasized that improvements in the upstream sector, such as fertilizers, have shown positive results, reflected by the increase in rice production and supply availability.
As of September 2025, he said, the national rice stocks reached around 4 million tons, higher than that recorded during the same period last year, which only stood at around 1 to 2 million tons.
He further said that based on Statistics Indonesia (BPS) projections, the national rice production will reach 31.04 million tons by October 2025, surpassing the total production throughout 2024 which stood at 30 million tons.
He also stated that the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) even projected Indonesia's rice production in 2025 to reach up to 35 million tons. Meanwhile, the rice production target set by the Ministry of Agriculture this year is 32 million tons.
Minister Sulaiman affirmed that the government is currently focusing on improving the downstream sector, including realizing food distribution that is more efficient, fair, and impactful for food price stability.
With thorough improvements from upstream to downstream, he expressed optimism that the national food ecosystem will be healthier, production will increase, and Indonesia's food security will become stronger in facing global challenges.
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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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