Indonesia Eyes Global Food Dominance as National Reserves Surge Threefold

RRI.CO.ID, Makassar - Indonesian Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has issued a bold rallying cry for national unity, declaring his ambition to transform Indonesia into a global "food superpower" while revealing that national rice stocks have surged by 300 percent compared to previous years.

Speaking during a high-level inspection of the Bulog Panaikang Warehouse in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday, April 5, 2026, the Minister framed the nation’s current food security status as a historic turning point that paves the way for long-term geopolitical influence.

Accompanied by the Vice President Director of Perum Bulog, Marga Taufiq, Minister Amran emphasized that Indonesia is currently operating from a position of unprecedented strength. He noted that the country has secured its strategic foundations in water, energy, and protein, providing a solid platform for the visionary leadership of President Prabowo Subianto to push toward total self-sufficiency.

"We want this Republic to endure for thousands of years to come, and in a short time, Indonesia will be a superpower," Minister Amran said during the visit, as quoted by Antara.

The Minister’s optimism is backed by stark data. National rice stocks currently stand at 4.5 million tons, a massive leap from the 1.5 million tons recorded during the same period in previous years.

Projections suggest these reserves will climb to 5 million tons within the next 20 days, potentially reaching 6 million tons within two months. Local successes bolster this national trend in South Sulawesi alone, production has more than doubled, skyrocketing from 300,000 tons to 761,000 tons in the most recent period.

Despite these achievements, the Minister issued a stern warning against internal and external interference. He suggested that "mafia" elements and interest groups aligned with foreign entities may be actively working to undermine Indonesia’s path to independence.

According to Amran, these groups profit when the nation struggles, particularly when it comes to maintaining a sustainable domestic food supply.

"We want this Republic to endure for thousands of years to come, and in a short time, Indonesia will be a superpower," he reiterated, while urging the public to remain vigilant.

Beyond storage figures, the Minister highlighted a broader economic shift, asserting that agricultural exports are on the rise and that farmer welfare has reached its highest level since Indonesia’s independence. He characterized this era as a momentum-driven "golden age" for the sector, noting that the reduction in national import dependence across energy and protein sectors is a clear indicator of success. ***