As of May 6th, Perum Bulog, Indonesia’s state-owned logistics agency, has successfully absorbed over 2.4 million tons of paddy, equivalent to rice, from domestic farmers. This substantial intake significantly strengthens the nation’s Government Rice Reserves (CBP) and marks a crucial step towards achieving the ambitious national target for food security.
President Director Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani emphasized this significant progress during an interactive session with the All-Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM SI) on Wednesday in Jakarta, as reported by Antara. The 2.4 million-ton absorption represents nearly 60 percent of Bulog’s total 2026 target of 4 million tons of rice equivalent, a critical mandate from the government to bolster national food resilience and maintain domestic supply stability. The dialogue took place amidst a direct inspection of the real conditions of government rice reserves stored at Bulog’s Sunter Warehouse in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta.
At the core of Bulog’s procurement strategy is a steadfast commitment to quality. Rizal elaborated that the agency strictly adheres to a policy of absorbing paddy and rice only from harvests that have reached their optimal maturity. This meticulous approach is designed to ensure the inherent quality of the rice, guaranteeing it maintains a high standard throughout processing and storage periods. Such stringent criteria are vital for preserving the excellence and longevity of Indonesia’s national rice reserves.
To effectively manage these substantial reserves, Bulog operates an extensive network of warehouses strategically spread across the Indonesian archipelago. This vast infrastructure is fundamental to the nation’s food distribution system and stabilization efforts. The agency currently boasts ownership of 1,555 warehouse units, collectively offering an impressive storage capacity of approximately 3.7 million tons.
To accommodate the increasing volume of absorbed paddy and ensure sufficient storage, Bulog proactively supplements its owned facilities by leasing additional external warehouses, adding nearly 2 million tons to its overall capacity. Furthermore, the government is committed to strengthening national logistics distribution with plans to construct 100 new warehouses by 2026. These critical facilities are strategically prioritized in remote and frontier regions, including Nias, Natuna, and Morotai. This ambitious initiative aims to reach underserved areas, ensuring a more equitable and efficient distribution of government rice reserves across the entire archipelago.
In total, the national rice stock currently managed by this state-owned food enterprise stands at approximately 5.23 million tons. Rizal confidently stated that this substantial volume is more than adequate to maintain Indonesia’s food security until the coming year. Bulog reiterated that all stored rice is government property, functioning as vital national food reserves. These reserves include both premium and medium-grade rice, strategically deployed for price stabilization and to provide essential community assistance, highlighting Bulog’s multifaceted role in safeguarding national welfare.
Summary
As of May 6th, Indonesia’s state-owned logistics agency, Bulog, has successfully procured 2.4 million tons of paddy, representing nearly 60 percent of its 4-million-ton target for 2026. This initiative is designed to bolster national food reserves and ensure long-term supply stability. The agency maintains strict quality standards for all grain procurement to ensure the longevity and excellence of the stored rice.
To support its current inventory of 5.23 million tons, Bulog utilizes a vast network of over 1,500 warehouses and plans to construct 100 additional facilities in remote regions by 2026. These efforts are part of a strategic mandate to enhance food security and streamline logistics distribution across the archipelago. Consequently, the government maintains a sufficient stock to effectively stabilize prices and provide community assistance through the coming year.