Indonesia Boasts Food Self-Sufficiency Amid Global Protectionism

Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan delivered a speech at the 8th Indonesian Muslim Congress in Jakarta on July 25, 2026. He highlighted the government's success in achieving food self-sufficiency, boasting surpluses amid growing global protectionism.

Hasan emphasized that Indonesia is now self-reliant in key food commodities, including rice, corn, table sugar, chicken eggs, chicken meat, and fish. The country successfully ended its reliance on imported rice in 2025 and recorded a surplus of 4.2 million metric tons, a stark contrast to the 4.5 million tons it imported the previous year.

The minister attributed this success to the government's shift from import-centered policies to farmer-empowering initiatives, such as improved selling prices for unhusked rice and expanded fertilizer access. He also called on Indonesian Muslims to contribute insights into fundamental challenges facing farmers and fishers, helping the government realize equitable welfare nationwide.

Hasan pointed out that Indonesia is making significant progress toward energy self-sufficiency, citing recent diesel fuel production expansion and efforts to increase ethanol blending. 'Ethanol can be derived from cassava, corn, or sugarcane. It is crucial that we go all-out in pursuing food and energy security so this nation can stand on its own,' he said.