RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reported that Indonesian farmers have continued to sustain rice production and positioned Indonesia as one of the contributors to global rice reserves, despite a global fertilizer crisis that has disrupted food production in many countries.

As reported on the official website of Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture on Monday, July 13, 2026, the findings were published in FAO's Food Outlook report, June 2026 edition, released in Rome on June 17–18, 2026. The report also places Indonesia as the largest rice producer in Southeast Asia and the fourth-largest in the world.

Moreover, FAO projects Indonesia's rice production to reach 38.5 million tons in the 2025/2026 period, increasing to 38.6 million tons in 2026/2027. With this output, Indonesia ranks behind India, China, and Bangladesh, while surpassing other Southeast Asian producers such as Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and the Philippines.

Indonesia's Minister of Agriculture and Head of the National Food Agency, Andi Amran Sulaiman, said the FAO report reaffirmed Indonesia's position as Southeast Asia's largest rice producer.

"FAO has once again recognized Indonesia as the largest rice producer in Southeast Asia and the fourth-largest in the world after India, China, and Bangladesh," he said.

In addition to production, FAO projects Indonesia's year-end rice stocks to increase from an average of 5.6 million tons to 7.5 million tons in 2025/2026 and 7.8 million tons in 2026/2027. According to the report, the increase in Indonesia's rice reserves is one of the factors supporting global rice stock stability, which is projected to reach 213.8 million tons by the end of 2026/2027, the second-highest level on record.

Amran said the increase in Indonesia's rice production has been supported by government policies aimed at maintaining affordable fertilizer prices and ensuring farmers' access to fertilizer. He noted that while many countries have faced fertilizer shortages and soaring prices, Indonesian farmers have continued to receive fertilizer at more affordable prices, helping sustain higher rice production despite the El Niño phenomenon and other global challenges.

He also said the FAO recognition reflects the hard work of Indonesian farmers in increasing the country's food production.

"Recognition from this international organization is a recognition of the hard work of all Indonesian farmers. It is proof of the success of our joint efforts to increase national food production," the Minister conveyed.