Indonesia ranks fourth in the world for annual rice production — ahead of Vietnam (fifth) and Thailand (sixth). This year, the country aims to produce 32 million tons of rice, a 3% increase from last year.
However, the shrinking number of farmers has raised growing concerns about the long-term sustainability of its agricultural sector and the nation’s ability to meet rising food demand.
A Historic Milestone in Food Security
President Prabowo Subianto announced last month that Indonesia’s rice output had increased by 48%, with national rice reserves reaching a record 4.2 million tons.
Yet challenges such as uneven land distribution and a lack of farmer support continue to hinder progress.
Two farmers, Isna and Caca — like many Indonesians who use only one name — work seven hours a day. The couple harvests about 1.2 tons of rice per crop, three times a year, and sells all their output to a mill, earning roughly USD 360 per year.
Caca shared that she has never received fertilizer or financial aid, noting that such support would help improve their daily meals.
Isna added:
“The government should support farmers. They should provide capital and help stabilize prices by purchasing fresh paddy.”
To boost rice production, the government has increased fertilizer subsidies, upgraded agricultural machinery, accelerated planting schedules, and raised the minimum procurement price for fresh paddy.
However, despite these efforts, Indonesia has not prioritized rice exports, as officials remain focused on domestic stockpiles and monitoring weather conditions.
Pursuing Sustainable Food Self-Sufficiency
Experts warn that the key question now is whether Indonesia can sustain food self-sufficiency in the long term.
Said Abdullah, National Coordinator of the People’s Coalition for Food Security, emphasized the need to consider economic, social, and environmental dimensions:
“If we want sustainable self-sufficiency, these three pillars are essential — they must go hand in hand,” he said. “And, of course, they must be backed by strong, farmer-friendly agricultural policies.”
According to the National Agricultural Census, the number of farmers in Indonesia has been steadily declining.
Analysts say greater efforts are needed to make farming more attractive.
Rajendra Aryal, FAO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, stated that 80% of Indonesian farmers are now over 40 years old.
“In 20 years, they will be 60,” he warned. “If we can’t retain agricultural workers, we won’t be able to sustain production.”
Government data shows that the total number of farmers across all sectors fell from about 35 million in 2003 to 28 million in 2023.
With 17% of farm households owning less than 0.5 hectares of land and around 15 million farmers cultivating staple crops — mainly rice — experts stress that Indonesia must improve farmer welfare if it wants to feed its 280 million people sustainably.