Prabowo Claims Indonesia Rice Reserves 3 Million Tons More, Surpassing the Era of Suharto

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto said that the national rice reserves managed by Perum Bulog currently reached 3 million tons, or surpassed history when Indonesia achieved food self-sufficiency in the era of the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soeharto.

When leading the Red and White Cabinet retreat or the early year briefing, Prabowo expressed his pride that the rice reserves exceeded the highest record of 2 million tons.

"I am also quite humbled and proud that today our rice reserves in government warehouses in Indonesia are the highest in the history of the Republic of Indonesia, ever in the government of President Soeharto," said Prabowo as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, January 6.

Prabowo explained that he targeted the Red and White Cabinet's food minister to achieve food self-sufficiency within four years.

At the end of 2025, Prabowo stated that the target of self-sufficiency in four years could be achieved in the first year of leadership.

The Head of State noted that the highest national rice reserves ever managed by the State were 2 million tons.

"Today our rice reserves in government warehouses are more than 3 million tons, the highest in the history of the Republic of Indonesia. I think this is the result of the hard work of all brothers," said Prabowo to the Red and White Cabinet ministers.

In his remarks, Prabowo also emphasized that no nation is free if it cannot guarantee food for its people.

In the midst of world conflicts and geopolitical conditions, Prabowo highlighted countries that were once the source of rice imports in Indonesia, such as Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

"If we are not self-sufficient in rice, in the midst of conflicts everywhere, in the midst of wars everywhere, our source of rice imports was Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Now Thailand is at war with Cambodia. After the war, negotiations, weapons, peace, it erupted again," said Prabowo.

The President also wants self-sufficiency not only in rice, but also in other carbohydrates, such as corn and cassava, as well as protein.