Indonesia achieves full self-sufficiency in rice, maize for first time

Indonesia on Tuesday reported that the country has completely ceased imports of rice and maize, achieving a key goal in ensuring national food security.

According to data from the Area Sampling Frame Programme of Statistics Indonesia, the projected volume of rice production from Jan. to Dec. 2025 will amount to 34.77 million tonnes, which is 13.54 per cent higher than the previous year.

By mid-year, state rice reserves amounted to around 4 million tonnes a record high in the country’s history. All of this volume was produced domestically, ANTARA reports.

In November, the reserves were sufficient to assist the population of three provinces most affected by flooding.

According to data, the record harvest was achieved by a new system of support for farmers where the authorities raised and stabilised procurement prices for rice to make its cultivation more profitable for farmers.

National maize production is also capable of meeting the country’s needs for food and animal feed, supporting the egg and poultry meat production sectors.

The maize harvest is estimated to reach 2.8 million tonnes by the fourth quarter while production is expected to continue growing and approach the target of 4 million tonnes by the end of 2025.

With the inauguration of the new administration of President Prabowo Subianto, the country has set a course towards full self-sufficiency.

In addition to supporting prices for farmers, the government is actively introducing new technologies in agriculture, attracting young specialists and developing land on the island of Kalimantan.

The next task for the authorities is to eliminate dependence on imports of white sugar by 2026.

The Ministry of Agriculture will also focus on increasing domestic production of key food commodities that still remain highly dependent on imports, such as soybeans and wheat, according to the report.

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date