Claims To Side With Farmers, Minister Of Agriculture Amran Admits He Is Ready To Face The Rice Mafia

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized the government's alignment with farmers by increasing the price of government purchases (HPP) for grain and daring to face the rice mafia in order to protect the interests of farmers, consumers, and maintain national food stability.

The Minister of Agriculture said one of the main policies was to increase the purchase price of the government (HPP) for unhulled rice to Rp6,500 per kilogram, as a form of government alignment with farmers according to President Prabowo Subianto's direct direction.

"We really care about farmers, so we increase the HPP, the price of the government's purchase for IDR 6,500 (per kg) of unhulled rice on the orders of the President (Prabowo Subianto)," said the Minister of Agriculture in a statement in Jakarta, Sunday, which was confiscated by Antara.

The Minister of Agriculture explained that the increase in HPP succeeded in encouraging the Farmer's Exchange Rate (NTP) to increase so that farmers' welfare improved, which at the same time showed the government's seriousness in protecting farmers from price pressure.

In addition, the government ensures the availability of safe rice with a stock of more than 4 million tons, much higher than 2023' 2024, which at that time was only 1 million tons, so Indonesia had to import these commodities.

"What used to be (in) 2023-2024 we imported and the stock was small, it was only 1 million tons more. Now our stock (rice) is more than 4 million tons. We are grateful for this," he said.

He dismissed framing which said the government did not care about rising rice prices, by emphasizing concrete steps to protect farmers and consumers through various strategic and measurable policies.

The Minister of Agriculture emphasized that his party is also ready to deal with businessmen who deceive farmers and try to take advantage by being irresponsible. This was done in order to protect the interests of the Indonesian people.

The Minister of Agriculture emphasized that although Japan experienced a fairly high increase in rice prices, Indonesia should be grateful that prices have started to fall in 13 provinces thanks to the government's efforts to control the market, including through low-cost market operations by disbursing 1.3 million tons of rice for the Food Price Supply Stability program (SPHP) starting July-December 2025.

The government asks the public not to be easily provoked by negative issues, because all steps taken are proof of real partiality to farmers, consumers, and safeguarding the interests of the people and national food security.

"So don't be easily provoked by the framing of certain people who are not happy with us. We know that many are not happy, many are disturbed by their business because we are doing this, but we are doing everything for the sake of the Indonesian people," said the Minister of Agriculture.