Antara, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, in his inaugural State Address at the Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), emphasized the government's success in increasing food production, enabling Indonesia to resume rice and corn exports to friendly countries after decades.
"For the first time in decades, Indonesia can once again export rice and corn. I see farmers everywhere smiling because the price of unhulled rice is stable and their income has increased," Prabowo said during his performance report at government agencies and his State Address at the Annual Session of the MPR and the Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and Regional Representative Council (DPD) in Jakarta on Friday.
Speaking before members of DPR and MPR, Prabowo attributed this achievement to the government's food security programs over the past 10 months.
He announced that Indonesia now enjoys a surplus in rice production, with national reserves exceeding 4 million tons, the highest in the nation's history.
"No strong country fails to produce its own food. My administration has worked hard to reduce dependence on imports by opening millions of hectares of new paddy fields in Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, Sumatra, Papua, and other regions," he said.
The President added that the government has expanded agricultural land, promoted food production in villages, streamlined fertilizer distribution so farmers receive it directly, and provided farming equipment.
"We also raised the price of unhulled rice to Rp6,500 per kilogram so farmers can enjoy significant profits," he said.
Prabowo reaffirmed his commitment to taking firm action against those involved in manipulation, fraud, and cheating, referring to recent cases of ordinary-quality rice being sold in premium packaging.
"To protect consumers, my administration will remain vigilant against manipulation, fraud, hoarding, and food distribution abuses. We will act decisively against rule-breakers," he said.
The Annual Session of the MPR RI 2025, commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence, was held at the Nusantara Building in Jakarta.
The event was attended by more than 600 council members, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, cabinet ministers and deputies, political leaders, public figures, and representatives from friendly countries.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2039820/indonesia-resumes-rice-and-corn-exports-after-decades-prabowo-say