RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The National Food Agency (BPN) is reinforcing its role in implementing Presidential Instruction No. 8 of 2025 on poverty alleviation and the eradication of extreme poverty. The focus centers on strengthening government food reserves, expanding food assistance, and stabilizing prices through the rice Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program.

The agency's Deputy for Food Consumption Diversification and Food Safety, Andriko Noto Susanto, said government rice reserves managed by Perum Bulog have reached 5.02 million tons—the highest level on record. This stock provides a strong buffer to maintain supply, control prices, and ensure food access for the public.

“The first is government food reserves, and the second relates to protecting food security for poor and extremely poor communities," Andriko conveyed. For government reserves, through state-own logistic company Bulog, Indonesia now have the largest Government Rice Reserve, totaling 5.02 million tons.

As quoted by National Food Agency's press release on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, food assistance has been expanded in 2026 to reach 33.2 million beneficiary families based on the national socio-economic database. Each household receives 10 kilograms of rice and 2 liters of cooking oil per month for February and March allocations, distributed between April and May.

“In 2026, the food assistance program continues for 33.2 million beneficiary families. Currently, we are completing the February–March distribution, where each recipient gets 10 kilograms of rice plus 2 liters of cooking oil,” Andriko mentioned.

Beyond assistance, the National Food Agency continues to carry out the Food Supply and Price Stabilization on rice to keep prices affordable. Distribution reached 795,500 tons in 2025 and is targeted to increase to 828,000 tons nationwide in 2026.

Additional interventions include targeted food aid for 11,500 vulnerable households and fortified rice assistance for families at risk of stunting in Bandung. These programs aim to improve nutrition and reduce food insecurity in high-risk areas.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar said the policy direction is yielding positive results with a steady decline in extreme poverty. The government remains focused on accelerating progress toward its zero extreme poverty target.

“Extreme poverty has declined—from 1.26 percent in March 2024 to 0.78 percent in September 2025. Around 0.48 percent of the extremely poor population has improved their welfare,” Muhaimin said.

The government recorded a reduction in extreme poverty from 3.56 million people to 2.2 million within that period. Social assistance programs have reached 8.56 million low-income families, supporting broader poverty reduction efforts.

“Priority areas targeted include 16,550 villages and urban communities, in line with the Ministerial Decree on Community Empowerment No. 6 of 2026,” Muhaimin noted. He then affirmed the government will work hard to achieve a 0 percent extreme poverty rate in 2026 and no more than 5 percent by 2029.