Historic Achievement in Food Security
President Prabowo Subianto officially declared that Indonesia achieved food self-sufficiency, particularly in rice, in 2025. The announcement was made on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at a mass harvest event in Karawang, West Java, marking a significant milestone for the Southeast Asian nation. President Prabowo stated, 'I announce that Indonesia has achieved food self-sufficiency in 2025,' emphasizing that the country no longer needs to import rice after decades of reliance on foreign supplies.
This achievement comes significantly earlier than the initial four-year target set by President Prabowo's administration. The government attributes this success to concerted efforts, including improved yields, enhanced distribution networks, and coordinated policies across various levels of government.
Key Figures and Production Data
According to government data, Indonesia's rice production in 2025 reached approximately 34.7 million metric tons. This figure comfortably exceeded the estimated domestic consumption of around 31 million tons, resulting in a surplus of over 3 million tons. National rice stocks at the beginning of 2026 stood at about 12.5 million tons, including a record 3.25 million tons in government reserves.
The government confirmed that Indonesia did not import any rice for household consumption throughout 2025. While the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported some rice imports, the Agriculture Ministry clarified these were for specialty and industrial purposes, not undermining the claim of self-sufficiency for staple rice.
Factors Contributing to Success
Several factors contributed to Indonesia's rapid progress towards rice self-sufficiency. These include:
- Increased Subsidies for Farmers: Government support played a crucial role in boosting agricultural output.
- Streamlined Regulations: Efforts to simplify agricultural policies helped farmers.
- Favorable Weather Conditions: Persistent rainfall in key rice-growing regions allowed for increased harvested areas.
- Improved Farming Inputs: Better access to resources like fertilizer and seeds contributed to higher yields.
Future Outlook and Broader Food Security Initiatives
Looking ahead, President Prabowo pledged to expand self-sufficiency beyond rice to other essential staples such as corn, cassava, and garlic. He also committed to lowering production costs for farmers and expanding fisheries and livestock production to further strengthen national food security.
This success builds on past efforts, with Indonesia having last achieved rice self-sufficiency in 2008 and prior to that in the mid-1980s. The government's broader strategy for food security also includes initiatives like the Food Estate Program, which aims to develop large-scale agricultural hubs and integrate modern farming technologies, though past iterations have faced challenges.
5 Comments
Katchuka
Finally, real action on food security! President Prabowo and the team delivered big time.
KittyKat
Easy to declare self-sufficiency when you redefine what counts as 'imported rice.' The numbers feel cherry-picked.
Loubianka
Increased subsidies mean increased public spending. Is this truly sustainable without a massive cost?
Kyle Broflovski
The government's efforts to boost rice production and secure national food supplies are undeniably important. However, there should be more transparency regarding the environmental impact of intensified farming practices and the true economic cost of maintaining such high production levels through subsidies.
Muchacha
The improvement in farmer welfare indicated by the record-high NTP is excellent news for rural communities. But it's important to consider if this success translates to affordable rice prices for all consumers, especially those in lower-income brackets.