Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s rice reserves have climbed to more than 3 million tons, the highest level on record, President Prabowo announced on Tuesday.
The figure surpassed levels recorded during the country’s food self-sufficiency period under former president Soeharto, he said.
Speaking at a cabinet retreat and year-opening briefing in Hambalang, West Java, on Tuesday, Prabowo said rice stocks managed by state logistics agency Bulog now exceed the previous peak of about 2 million tons.
"I am quite proud that today our rice reserves in government warehouses are the highest in the history of the Republic of Indonesia, including during President Soeharto’s administration," Prabowo said.
He said his administration had set a four year target to achieve food self-sufficiency, but the goal was achieved earlier, by the end of 2025, just one year into his presidency.
"This, I believe, is the result of the hard work of all of you,” Prabowo told his cabinet ministers.
In his remarks, he stressed that no nation can be truly independent if it cannot guarantee food security for its people.
Amid global conflicts and geopolitical tensions, Prabowo noted that Indonesia had previously relied on rice imports from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, warning that geopolitical instability could disrupt supply.
He added that if Indonesia is not self-sufficient in rice, in a world full of conflict and war, the country's only sources of rice are Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
"Now Thailand and Cambodia are at war. After fighting, negotiations take place, weapons are laid down, peace is declared, and then conflict erupts again,” Prabowo emphasized.
He said that Indonesia’s self sufficiency goals should extend beyond rice to include other carbohydrates such as corn and cassava, as well as protein sources.
