Makassar, South Sulawesi – Indonesia’s government rice reserves, managed by the state-owned logistics firm Bulog, have reached an unprecedented 4.5 million tons, according to Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman. Speaking on Sunday during a visit to a Bulog warehouse in Makassar, South Sulawesi, the minister highlighted this as the highest level in the republic’s history, providing stability amid Middle East tensions.
Sulaiman attributed the substantial increase in reserves to government policies designed to rapidly boost domestic production, which he stated has enabled the country to achieve self-sufficiency in rice. These policies include an elevated government purchase price for unhusked rice at Rp6,500 per kilogram, a 20 percent reduction in subsidized fertilizer prices, and the adoption of modern agricultural practices. The minister noted that these initiatives have successfully increased rice production within a single year.
The current volume of rice has reportedly exceeded existing warehouse storage capacity, prompting the government to secure additional space through leasing arrangements. Regionally, South Sulawesi, for instance, has seen its rice reserves double to 761,000 tons.
Nationwide, the current 4.5 million tons of rice are projected to climb further, potentially reaching 5 million tons within the next 20 days and possibly expanding to 6 million tons over the next two months. Minister Sulaiman affirmed that these ample stocks have been thoroughly verified through direct inspections on the ground.
These achievements have fostered government optimism regarding the long-term stability of national food security. Sulaiman additionally assured that, factoring in existing reserves, supplies in the hospitality sector (hotels, restaurants, and cafes), and ongoing harvest potential, the national food supply is guaranteed for the next 11 months.
Source: Original
