Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto recently said that the public didn’t need to worry about the national food stock amidst escalations to the Middle East conflict.

Speaking at a bridge launching event, Prabowo highlighted the importance for countries to maintain their food security as global disruptions on supplies loom. Luckily, Indonesia has already reached self-sufficiency in rice production. Rice is a staple food for Indonesians. Prabowo has even repeatedly stated that Indonesia did not import any rice throughout last year.

“Many countries will struggle, but at least, we are safe when it comes to food. … Wars are everywhere. When fuel prices skyrocket, this can affect food prices. We are grateful that we are nearing self-sufficiency in food,” Prabowo said.

Oil prices at the time broke $100 a barrel, a first since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Beyond rice, Prabowo claimed that Indonesia was “on track” to be able to meet its protein needs on its own. The State Logistics Agency (Bulog) reported that government rice reserves totaled 3.74 million tons as of March 9.

"With harvests in various regions and our ongoing absorption efforts, we project these reserves will rise to around 4.5 to 5 million tons by the end of March," Bulog chief Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani said.

There is also enough supply of cooking oil thanks to the government’s domestic market obligation (DMO). This policy requires palm oil producers allocating a portion of their products to the domestic market before exporting.

“There is no need for panic [buying]. We have secure food stocks. The government will make sure of their availability,” Rizal said.

On Feb. 28, Israel-Iran launched a joint military campaign against Iran, thereby triggering a regionwide war. Enormous economic implications loom as there is still no sign of the fighting to cool down. Jakarta has urged all parties to return to the negotiating table.

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