January 7, 2026 | 11:42 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Political Economic Association (AEPI) activist Khudori assesses that the government must provide a clear definition of food self-sufficiency to avoid conflicting interpretations.
Khudori notes that under Food Law Number 18 of 2012, food includes commodities from agriculture, plantations, forestry, fisheries, and livestock to food additives. Given this scope, he believes achieving comprehensive self-sufficiency is difficult.
"What is the definition of self-sufficiency? Does it mean that 90 percent of domestic needs can be met from domestic production? So, is there room for imports of up to 10 percent, or should it be 100 percent without imports, so that domestic needs must be met from domestic production?" he asked, as reported by Antara on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
Khudori stated that since his inauguration on October 20, 2024, President Prabowo Subianto has not explained the meaning of food self-sufficiency in detail. Without a clear definition, he believes the public will struggle to evaluate government achievements. He noted that if self-sufficiency means 90 percent domestic production, Indonesia has long been self-sufficient in rice.
Data shows that during 2018-2024, rice imports averaged 3.85 percent of total consumption. The highest import share occurred in 2024 at 15.03 percent, while other years remained below 10 percent.
"This means that Indonesia has been self-sufficient in rice except in 2024, just like in 2025. So, should something like this be announced?" Khudori said.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto, during the Harvest Festival and Food Self-Sufficiency Announcement in Karawang, West Java, stated that Indonesia has entered the food self-sufficiency phase and no longer depends on foreign supplies.
He said that within one year of his inauguration, Indonesia successfully achieved self-sufficiency in rice and food, surpassing the initial four-year target.
"We have been self-sufficient for one year. We are standing on our own feet. We are not dependent on other nations," said Prabowo.
As 2026 begins, the National Food Agency (Bapanas) records that national rice stocks reached 12.529 million tons, including a record Government Rice Reserve (CBP) of 3.25 million tons managed by Perum Bulog. With monthly consumption at 2.5 million tons, rice availability is projected to be secure through year-end.
Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that following this achievement, the government abolished rice imports in 2026. Instead, with abundant production, Indonesia is exploring opportunities to export rice to neighboring countries.
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