Badanas Proposes IDR 16.10 Trillion Strengthen Food Security 2026

Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi. BETWEEN/HO-Humas Bapanas

JAKARTA - The National Food Agency (Bapanas) proposed a budget of IDR 16.10 trillion for 2026 to strengthen security and ensure that the national food aid program and price stabilization are more planned.

"The proposal includes an additional budget of IDR 16.02 trillion from the indicative ceiling set in 2026 of IDR 79,425,015,000," said Head of Badanas Arief Prasetyo Adi as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, July 12.

He emphasized the importance of budgeting since the beginning of the year so that program implementation is no longer reactive. The budget proposal was submitted at the Commission IV DPR RI Hearing Meeting (RDP) in Jakarta, Thursday (10/7).

So far, budget proposals for food assistance and Stabilization programs for Food Supply and Prices (SPHP) are often made after conditions occur in the field so that it takes time in the execution process.

"Ideally, programs such as SPHP have been budgeted from the start. For example, how much Bulog rice stock or Government Rice Reserves can be issued immediately," explained Arief.

Arief revealed that price stabilization needs around 1.5 million tons of rice per year. Meanwhile, for food assistance, the monthly demand can reach 180,000 tons, so careful planning is needed.

According to him, the budget prepared from the start of the intervention can be done faster. For example, Arief continued, prices rose more than 10 percent for seven days, Bulog could immediately move without waiting for additional budget approval.

"Our job is to submit the best proposal. If later there are other policies that are more priority, we will join. But at least, we have submitted them to the Ministry of Finance, the DPR, and the Coordinating Minister for Food," he added.

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Regarding the SPHP designation mechanism, Arief emphasized that the Government Rice Reserve stock managed by Bulog must be moved to keep prices stable. Bulog rice stock as of July 10, 2025, reached 4.2 million tons. This figure is very sufficient to intervene in stabilization.

The SPHP is for price stabilization intervention. When prices rise, stock in Bulog must be used. Food assistance is also part of government intervention. And if there is a disaster, the stock must also be ready," he said.