Vietnamese crab exportergood crab

Halving BMKG’s Budget Could Derail Food Self-Sufficiency, Expert Says

Jayanty Nada Shofa
February 11, 2025 | 2:23 pm
SHARE
A farmer works in a paddy field in Labuapi, West Lombok, on Feb. 11, 2025. (Antara Photo/Ahmad Subaidi)
A farmer works in a paddy field in Labuapi, West Lombok, on Feb. 11, 2025. (Antara Photo/Ahmad Subaidi)

Jakarta. The government’s decision to halve the budget allocated for the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency or BMKG could have a detrimental effect on Indonesia’s dream of becoming self-sufficient in food production, according to an expert.

President Prabowo Subianto has instructed his government to slash spending by Rp 306.7 trillion (about $18.8 billion) for this fiscal year. The retired army general wants the money to get rechanneled to social programs, particularly his signature free school meal rollout. Almost all ministries and government bodies are not safe from the budget cuts. BMKG, which is in charge of releasing weather forecasts and disaster detection reports, is no exception.

“Budget cuts for BMKG would of course take a toll on its operations. The agency will then struggle to monitor the weather or any climate change impact,” Media Wahyudi Askar, a director at think-tank Celios, told an online briefing on Monday. 

He said: “Our farmers and fishermen really need all this [information]. And of course, this is directly related to food security. So budget efficiency in the wrong places can have negative consequences.”

ADVERTISEMENT

State news agency Antara recently reported Indonesian lawmakers had agreed to cut BMKG's spending by half. BMKG originally got to spend no more than Rp 2.8 trillion. It can now only use up to Rp 1.4 trillion following the budget efficiency measure. 

Media reports showed that BMKG’s spokesman Muslihhuddin said that the cost-cutting measures could take a toll on the agency. Their accuracy on weather forecasts as well as potential disasters like earthquakes and tsunami could also drop from 90 to 60 percent. Despite having almost 600 disaster detection tools scattered across the country, many of them are already outdated. The budget cuts would also greatly affect its maintenance.

Amid Celios’ warnings, food self-sufficiency takes a great deal of Prabowo’s attention. Prabowo not long ago inked a presidential instruction on food self-sufficiency. The document included Prabowo’s instructions to his ministers to ramp up irrigation system development in the country. The retired army general is also hoping to achieve food self-sufficiency by 2027. Indonesia also wishes to stop importing rice -- a staple food -- starting this year.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

Related Articles


News Jun 20, 2026 | 11:00 am

Don’t Just Sign: Indonesia Must Follow Up on Its International Deals

Ex-Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal says it's better to have just 10 agreements that are fully implemented.
News Jun 18, 2026 | 8:17 pm

Prabowo Orders Expansion of Papua Agriculture Programs Backed by Record Funding

Prabowo orders continued expansion of Papua farm programs backed by Rp 5.5 trillion in funding.
News Jun 12, 2026 | 7:47 pm

Prabowo to Host German President Steinmeier on Monday

Not much is known about what sort of deals Prabowo-Steinmeier talks will roll out.
News Jun 12, 2026 | 5:04 pm

Thousands of Indonesian Students Rally Against Govt Policies

Thousands of Indonesian students rallied in Jakarta, criticizing rising living costs, government spending, and controversial state programs.
Business Jun 11, 2026 | 9:12 pm

Kalla Group Pledges $3.9B for Energy After Prabowo Talks

Kalla Group says it is ready to invest up to Rp 70 trillion in renewable and gas power projects.
News Jun 10, 2026 | 6:36 pm

Prabowo Pledges Cheaper Generic Drugs Within a Year

Prabowo pledged cheaper generic medicines within a year as Indonesia accelerates hospital and healthcare upgrades nationwide.
News Jun 10, 2026 | 1:51 pm

Prabowo Targets 400 Hospital Upgrades in Three-Year Healthcare Push

Prabowo aims to modernize up to 400 hospitals and 10,000 clinics nationwide within three years to improve healthcare access.
News Jun 9, 2026 | 6:00 pm

Prabowo Receives Second Batch of Ambassadors Amid Scrutiny Over Accreditation Delays

President Prabowo Subianto received credentials from nine newly appointed ambassadors, bringing the total accredited this week to 17.
Business Jun 5, 2026 | 10:09 am

Energy Subsidy Reform Urgent as Spending Jumps 266.5%, Experts Say

Experts say targeted energy subsidies would ease fiscal pressures, support the rupiah, and free funds for investment.
News Jun 4, 2026 | 4:46 pm

Prabowo-Gibran Approval Holds Above 70% Despite Economic Concerns: Survey

A new Poltracking survey shows 72.2% approve of Prabowo's government, though economic concerns persist.

The Latest


News 2 hours ago

Lamine Yamal Scores in Spain's 4-0 Demolition of Saudi Arabia 

He has helped Spain win the European Championship in 2024 despite being just 16 years old when the tournament started.
Business 5 hours ago

4,000 Workers at Nike Supplier in Indonesia Sent Home as New Orders Dry Up

Feng Tay Indonesia Enterprises is part of Taiwan-based Feng Tay Group and has operated in Indonesia since 1992.
Business 7 hours ago

Indonesia Says Aggressive Rate Hikes Are Helping Stabilize Rupiah

Indonesia says recent rate hikes are helping stabilize the rupiah, though economists warn monetary policy alone is not enough.
News 15 hours ago

Ayase Ueda Scores Twice in Japan’s 4-0 Win Against Tunisia 

Japan’s four goals were the most the Samurai Blue had ever scored in a World Cup game.
News 18 hours ago

Jakarta Completes Rasuna Said Revamp, Removes 109 Derelict Pillars

Jakarta has completed the transformation of Rasuna Said, removing 109 abandoned monorail pillars and upgrading public spaces.
COPYRIGHT © 2026 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED