Indonesia has reached its rice self-sufficiency target three years ahead of schedule, prompting the government to reconsider its plans to expand rice cultivation through forest clearance. The achievement was announced by Hashim Dojohadikusumo, special envoy for climate and energy and brother of President Prabowo Subianto, at a sustainability forum in Jakarta on October 6.
Hashim stated that the government no longer sees the need to clear two million hectares of forest land, initially earmarked for food estate development, to meet rice production goals. He described the country's rice self-sufficiency as effectively achieved without fully planting the planned area. The government aims to focus instead on increasing productivity on existing farmland, including crops such as soybeans, with expectations of self-sufficiency in soy within three years.
The food estate programme, launched as part of Indonesia’s wider food and energy self-sufficiency efforts, involved clearing large tracts of forest, including swamp and peatlands, particularly in South Papua’s Merauke regency and parts of Central Kalimantan. These projects have drawn significant controversy, with indigenous groups protesting environmental degradation and land rights violations. Satellite imagery from environmental organizations shows that since 2024, over 50,000 hectares of rainforest, savannah, peat swamp, and wetlands have been cleared for food estates, largely to grow rice and sugar cane.
The Forestry Ministry has clarified that despite the government’s shift away from expanding rice cultivation into forest areas, ongoing projects will not necessarily be halted immediately. The ministry stressed that increasing production on existing agricultural land remains the primary strategy and that changes in land use must comply with environmental regulations, spatial planning, and respect for community and indigenous rights. The ministry’s head of public relations, Ristani Prihadi, emphasized that “designating an area as degraded land does not by itself mean conversion is permitted.”
Mari Elka Pangestu, deputy chair of the National Economic Council and former trade minister, echoed the emphasis on using degraded land—defined as previously cleared or damaged areas—as the future site for food and biofuel production. She noted that Indonesia has more than 12 million hectares of such land, which could be suitable for agriculture without causing further deforestation. Reforestation programs are integrated into this approach, and any development must be carefully managed to avoid environmental harm.
Despite the early attainment of rice self-sufficiency, challenges remain. AGRARIA estimates show that forest loss increased by 66 percent in 2025, reaching a peak in eight years, with a substantial portion linked to food and energy programmes. Moreover, degraded land suitable for large-scale agriculture comprises less than 10 percent of the identified areas, with most better suited for smaller farms.
Government support measures credited with boosting production include raising procurement prices for unhusked rice and reducing fertilizer costs. Rice output in 2025 reached approximately 34.7 million tonnes, surpassing the national demand of 31.2 million tonnes, with stockpiles growing to around 5.3 million tonnes.
Environmental groups have cautiously welcomed the government’s revised stance. Glenn Hurrowitz, chief executive of Mighty Earth, called the decision “globally significant for people, nature and climate” and indicated ongoing monitoring and collaboration with local communities in Papua to address past environmental damage.
The government has yet to clarify the fate of land already cleared but not yet cultivated, or the status of sugar cane plantations, particularly in South Papua. The Agriculture Ministry and other agencies are expected to provide more details on the implementation and future direction of food estate projects in the coming months.