Indonesia’s rice production and supply remain secure despite El Niño conditions and a longer dry season, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said after a coordination meeting in Jakarta (7/9).

The government has also decided to increase the allocation of medium-grade Stabilisasi Pasokan dan Harga Pangan (SPHP) rice by 1 million tons to strengthen rice supplies and maintain affordable prices.

“Everything is safe, safe. Our food production and needs are safe,” Amran said.

Indonesia Rice Supply Remains Secure Amid El Niño

The government has prepared several measures to maintain rice supplies and control prices at the consumer level. These include accelerating SPHP rice distribution and encouraging medium and premium rice to enter retail networks.

“First, we are increasing SPHP and also pushing medium and premium rice into retail outlets. Second, we are stopping imports of broken rice or rice bran. Third, to reduce prices, we are conducting large-scale market operations. SPHP is increased by one million tons, then food assistance is accelerated,” Amran said.

The measures are intended to anticipate the longer dry season, which could put pressure on rice production and supplies in the market.

The government is strengthening rice distribution before supply pressure occurs by increasing the availability of rice for the public.

Government Adds 1 Million Tons of SPHP Rice

The government decided to add 1 million tons of medium SPHP rice to strengthen rice availability in the market. The additional rice will be distributed through various channels so people can obtain rice at affordable prices.

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan said the additional supply was decided to strengthen rice availability and maintain prices in the market.

“To respond to that, we have just held a meeting and decided: we will increase the supply of subsidized rice known as SPHP. Medium SPHP. We are adding another 1 million,” Zulkifli said.

The additional 1 million tons of medium SPHP rice will be distributed from October to December 2026 and will continue until the next harvest period. The rice is intended to maintain supplies and reduce the pressure for higher prices in the market.

Rice Distribution and Market Operations Accelerated

Amran said the government is also accelerating food assistance and conducting large-scale market operations to maintain food stability and ensure people can obtain rice.

The Agriculture Ministry has also asked the State Logistics Agency, or Bulog, to accelerate the supply of premium rice to modern retail outlets.

“It has already been pushed. We have asked Bulog to accelerate. Bulog has been asked to accelerate,” Amran said when asked about premium rice supplies in modern retail outlets.

Indonesia Stops Imports of Broken Rice

The government is also strengthening rice downstream processing by using Bulog rice stocks whose quality has declined for the rice flour industry.

The policy is also intended to reduce dependence on imports of broken rice or rice bran. Amran said the government had stopped imports of the commodity and would optimize domestic stocks for the need.

“The imported rice was 380 thousand tons, broken rice, and we stopped it. From Bulog, 380 thousand. Thank God, so we took action to stop imports of broken rice, rice bran,” he said.

Government Adds 150,000 Tons of SPHP Corn

The government also decided to provide 150,000 tons of SPHP corn to support smallholder farmers and small and medium-sized businesses facing corn supply pressures during the dry season.

The measures include maintaining domestic production, strengthening rice distribution and carrying out market interventions to maintain food supplies during El Niño.

“Large-scale market operations. SPHP is increased by one million tons. Then food assistance is accelerated,” Amran said.

PHOTO: UNSPLASH

This article was created with AI assistance.

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