BPS Projects Rice Production To Increase 52.32 Percent In January-March 2025

JAKARTA - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) projects that national rice production in the January-March 2025 period is expected to increase significantly to reach 52.32 percent.

"Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the potential production of rice from January to March 2025 is estimated at 8.67 million tons, a sharp increase of 52.32 percent compared to the same period in 2024 which was recorded at 5.69 million tons," said Head of BPS Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti in a statement in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Saturday, February 8.

This increase is in line with the widespread potential for rice harvest area which is estimated to reach 2.83 million hectares. This figure shows an increase of around 970,330 hectares or 52.08 percent compared to the harvest area in January-March 2024 which is only 1.86 million hectares.

Amalia also said that the average price of rice at the farmer, milling, wholesale, and retail levels. The average price of rice milled in January 2025 decreased by 4.30 percent compared to the previous year.

"The price of this rice has decreased by 4.30 percent on an annual basis, aka year on year (yoy)," he said.

Responding to this, Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman said that this achievement was the result of synergistic efforts by various parties in increasing national agricultural productivity.

"This increase in production is inseparable from the improvement of irrigation infrastructure including pumping, the availability of adequate subsidized fertilizers, as well as the implementation of more efficient modern agricultural technology," said the Minister of Agriculture.

The Minister of Agriculture also appreciated this achievement as clear evidence of the effectiveness of various strategic programs implemented to support national food security.

According to him, the increase in rice production shows the success of the Ministry of Agriculture's strategic steps in encouraging productivity. It will continue to work hard to ensure that national food availability is well maintained.

Furthermore, the Minister of Agriculture emphasized that this success was also achieved through the implementation of various superior programs, such as optimization of swampland, pumping, expansion of planting areas, and agricultural mechanization.

"These programs have proven to be effective in increasing land productivity and farmer business efficiency, so that they have a direct impact on increasing the yield and the availability of national rice," he also said.

He also said that pumping is one of the mainstay programs that plays an important role in increasing agricultural productivity.

Through this program, the Ministry of Agriculture facilitates the use of water pumps to overcome irrigation limitations, especially in rainsheds and drought areas.

With the pumping system, farmers can irrigate their land more effectively, increase the planting index, and expand their planting period throughout the year.

"We are optimistic, with the full support of President Prabowo, various related parties and the right policies, Indonesia is able to achieve food self-sufficiency as soon as possible and stop rice imports forever in the future," he said again.

The Minister of Agriculture continued that this significant increase is expected to have a positive impact on the national economy, especially in maintaining rice price stability in the domestic market and improving the welfare of farmers throughout Indonesia.

On this occasion, said the Minister of Agriculture, BPS also recorded a farmer's exchange rate (NTP) of 123.68 in January 2025. This NTP increased 0.73 percent from the previous month which was recorded at 122.78.

"Commodities that affect the price received by national farmers are cayenne pepper, red chili, cocoa or cocoa seeds, and unhulled rice," said the Minister of Agriculture.