Indonesia approves $7 bln budget for food security in 2025
Indonesia’s Ministry of Finance on Wednesday announced that the government has approved a budget of IRD118 trillion ($7.1 billion) for food security programs in 2025.
The funds will be allocated for rice procurement, upgrading production equipment, and financial support for investments. Photo courtesy of thejakartapost.com.
Ahmad Saiful Mujab, head of the ministry's State-Owned Enterprise Investment Office, stated that the funds will be allocated for rice procurement, upgrading production equipment, and financial support for investments.
Unlike previous investments in securities or real estate, the government now prioritizes direct support for state enterprises in rice purchasing. The National Logistics Agency (Bulog) will see adjustments in its business and stockpiling strategies.
Mujab emphasized that food security is a national security priority, especially given global conflicts and supply chain disruptions. Countries with surplus rice are prioritizing domestic needs before exporting, adding challenges to Indonesia’s import strategy.
Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan noted that IDR16.6 trillion ($1 billion) has been set aside for Bulog to purchase 3 million tons of rice by April 2025, including unprocessed rice. Inter-agency discussions continue to ensure Bulog has sufficient financial resources for food reserves.
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