RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Agriculture is strengthening the Rice Farming Insurance (AUTP) program to safeguard national rice production and protect farmers from harvest failure risks as Indonesia faces shifting rainfall patterns in early 2026.

Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman stressed that food self-sufficiency requires not only increased output but also protection for farmers. “Farmer protection is the foundation of food self-sufficiency. The government is here to ensure that farmers do not bear the risk alone, so they have the certainty to continue planting and producing,” Amran said in a press release on Thursday, February 5, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The AUTP program is designed to provide financial protection against flooding, drought, and pest infestations. The urgency of this measure has grown following forecasts from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), which predict mid-level rainfall across most of Indonesia but warn of shifting patterns that could disrupt production. “

This situation reinforces the importance of protecting agricultural businesses as part of the national strategy to maintain food production,” Minister Amran added, noting that the government’s approach includes stabilizing grain prices alongside risk mitigation.

Director General of Agricultural Infrastructure and Facilities Andi Nur Alam Syah explained that AUTP registration is conducted through the Agricultural Insurance Information System (SIAP) application. 

The digital platform enables farmers and groups, with assistance from field officers, to manage data entry and claims. “Through insurance mechanisms, farming risks can be controlled, so farmers still have the capital and courage to continue the next planting season,” Nur Alam said.

For the 2026 fiscal year, AUTP's sustainability relies heavily on the Regional Budgets (APBD). Insurance coverage for 94,036.67 hectares is currently supported by regional funding, while allocations from the national budget (APBN) are pending.

As of early February, 13 provinces have allocated regional funds for the program. In Sumatra, support comes from North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Jambi, and Lampung. 

In Java and Bali, coverage is provided by Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java, and Bali. In Kalimantan and Sulawesi, the program is backed by South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, and South Sulawesi.

The Ministry continues to encourage other regions to participate, framing AUTP as a concrete policy to mitigate climate risks, protect farmers, and ensure that Indonesia’s rice production remains sustainable year-round. ***