Self-Sufficiency Focus, Government Again Fails To Smuggle 40 Tons Of Rice

JAKARTA - The government has tightened food self-sufficiency measures by again thwarting 40 tons of illegal rice smuggling that occurred in Batam, Riau Islands.

Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) as well as Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized that illegal import practices, no matter how small the volume, can disrupt farmers' motivation and damage market prices.

Last night there was a report from Batam via Lapor Pak Amran who said that the rice (from outside Indonesia) was currently on sandar, the dock was at 11 pm, then we immediately confirmed it. We communicated with all local government officials and secured 40 tons of rice," he said in an official statement, Wednesday, November 26.

According to Amran, the problem is not a number of problems, but a psychological impact on farmers. The government, said Amran, is maintaining the spirit of 115 million farmers to remain motivated to increase production.

What we have to take care of is the spirit of our farmers to plant. Don't let our farmers be motivated. Right now, the motivation is extraordinary to produce where the policies issued by the President have 19 regulations, the Presidential Decree to the Presidential Instruction to make it easier for our farmers," he said.

Agriculture Is The Key To Lowering Poverty

Based on the 2024 Agricultural Economic Survey Survey (SEP) released by BPS in March 2025, the agricultural sector plays an important role in the global economy. Growth in the agricultural sector accounts for 66 percent of poverty reduction globally.

Growth in the agricultural sector has been seen in the results of the 2024 Agricultural Economic Survey (SEP) which reported that small-scale farmers in Indonesia were able to earn a net income of 1,242.48 US dollars PPP (Purchasing Power Parties) or around Rp. 5,909,429 per year.

When compared with the results of the 2021 Integrated Agricultural Survey (SITASI), the net income value experienced positive growth of 12.90 percent.

The increase in production, said Amran, is an important pillar for national economic stability and food security. This is also the reason the government prioritizes domestic production and suppresses the entry of illegal foods.

"Mr. President has said that in fact, God willing, the 2025 self-sufficiency will no longer be imported, so it is no longer up to regulations or is not in accordance with regulations, but there is much greater is the welfare of our farmers," he said.

Amran also revealed the lower causes of foreign rice prices, thus attracting smugglers. Even so, Amran emphasized that Indonesia cannot always be a market.

"So, why is it cheaper? Because Indonesia has cause and effect. The price is Rp. 5,700 to Rp. 6,000 per kilo of rice. But prices fall in other countries, because Indonesia is not imported. Well, their price is low because the market is Indonesia. Our population is the 4th largest in the world, 286 million. Do we want to be a market?," said Amran.

FAO data through Rice Price Update shows that prices in the international rice market continue to decline. The FAO All Rice Price Index (FARPI) recorded that the latest index in October 2025 has decreased to a level of 98.4 points. That way, FARPI October 2025 is the lowest point since 2022 or the last 4 years.

The free trade zone (FTZ) status or Batam free trading area remains sensitive about Food. Even though Batam is an FTZ, Amran emphasized that incoming goods must still be closely monitored because it is in Indonesian territory.

"Batam, there is an autonomous. Free trade zone. We know, we know it's a regulation. But this is sensitive because it belongs to the territory of the Republic of Indonesia. So this is for our common interest," he said.

For your information, the prosecution in Batam consists of 40.4 tons of rice; 4.5 tons of sugar; 2.04 tons of cooking oil. Then, 600 kilograms of flour flour; 900 liters of milk.

Not only food, there is also 240 pieces of perfume. Then, there are 360 pieces of imported noodles. Then 30 boxes of frozen food. The government also secured 3 ships.

Previously, the government had also jointly taken action against 250 tons of rice imports that entered the Sabang area, Aceh. Based on information compiled by Badanas, 200 tons are already in the importer's warehouse. The remaining 50 tons are still on the ship and there has been no demolition.