“If we talk about self-sufficiency for rice, it can be achieved this year,” said Nani Hendiarti, deputy for Food Affordability and Safety at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, during the Katadata Sustainability Action for the Future Economy (SAFE) 2025 forum in Jakarta.
She said the progress comes from land extensification programs and policies accelerating the development of food production areas.
The government has prioritized the use of idle land to boost production capacity and reduce import dependence.
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Officials also stressed the need to address climate change impacts to keep food systems resilient.
The extensification program, they said, follows environmentally friendly principles to balance land use, restoration and ecosystem sustainability.
Other initiatives include free nutritious meals and stronger village cooperatives, aimed at building the foundation of long-term food security.
Authorities have positioned food policy as central to people-centered development, with villages seen as the backbone of the food ecosystem.
The ministry expressed optimism that rice self-sufficiency will not only strengthen domestic resilience but also raise Indonesia’s global standing.
Officials noted that beyond meeting local demand, Indonesia could gradually contribute to international food aid.
“In the future, we may need to be ready to support countries that urgently need rice, as we already provide limited international assistance,” Hendiarti said.
The ministry has outlined three pillars for food security: intensification, including fertilizers, irrigation, seeds and aquaculture; extensification, through new rice fields and self-sufficiency zones; and other programs such as reserves, price stabilization, waste management and cooperatives.
As of July 2025, national rice stocks stood at 4.23 million tons, with the government pledging both sufficient supply and improved distribution.
The government has set 2027 as the broader target for food self-sufficiency, a goal backed by President Prabowo Subianto.
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Translator: Muhammad, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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