Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The government has set a new target to increase its rice reserves to 2.5 million tons, a move aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency.

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, announced the plan during a press conference following a limited coordination meeting on national food security in Jakarta on Monday (23/12/2024).

"Currently, our stock is at 2 million tons. We plan to propose to the President in the upcoming meeting to raise this to at least 2.5 million tons," he said, as reported by antaranews.com.

Zulkifli  explained that achieving this target would demonstrate strong absorption of rice from farmers, bolstering public confidence due to ample reserves held by the State Logistics Agency (Bulog).

"When we reach 2.5 million tons, it shows strong absorption from farmers, and it builds public confidence because Bulog's reserves are substantial," he added.

The head of the National Food Agency (NFA), Arief Prasetyo Adi, emphasized the importance of accelerating food self-sufficiency as a strategic measure to ensure sustainable domestic food supply without reliance on imports.

"This aligns with President Prabowo's vision as outlined in the Astacita. We are optimistic that by 2025, Indonesia can meet its domestic food needs independently," Arief said.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)