By Vietnam News Agency.

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman has emphasized Indonesia’s stable rice stock as a model of resilience amid food crises affecting the region.

Indonesia will not face a situation where people have to queue for rice, as seen in the Philippines, or panic-buy, as in Malaysia and Japan, Sulaiman said on Friday. With sufficient reserves and a strong distribution system, Indonesia sets an example of global food security, he added.

However, he stressed the need to accelerate efforts toward rice self-sufficiency and strengthen national food reserves to address the challenges posed by climate change and global supply disruptions.

Sulaiman noted that rice shortages in neighboring countries underscored the importance of securing domestic stockpiles, urging Indonesia to boost local rice production and gradually reduce reliance on imports.

According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the price of medium-grade rice in February 2025 stands at IDR13,000-14,000 per kg, down from the peak of IDR16,000 in 2024.

Published Date: February 23, 2025