Agriculture Minister Admits Budget Cuts Will Impact Food Self-Sufficiency

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Rp10.28 trillion budget reduction for the Ministry of Agriculture may hinder efforts to achieve national food self-sufficiency, Minister Amran Sulaiman stated during a working meeting with the House of Representatives’ (DPR) Commission IV on Thursday night, February 13.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Forestry, the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, the Head of the National Food Agency, and the Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Agency. During the session, Amran reported that the Agriculture Ministry’s effective budget now stands at Rp19.09 trillion, down from its initial allocation of Rp29.37 trillion

Amran explained that the budget reduction was part of the government’s efficiency policy, as outlined in Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 1 of 2025.

"From the beginning, we have optimized our budget for priority programs while cutting non-essential expenditures. However, this efficiency measure has required adjustments to key activities, including new rice field development and the procurement of agricultural machinery," Amran said.

Challenges to Food Security

According to Amran, the budget cuts may affect national food production.

"These adjustments will inevitably impact our efforts toward food self-sufficiency. Key initiatives such as land optimization, agricultural extension services, and irrigation management may be affected," he noted.

The largest budget reduction within the ministry was applied to its Directorate General of Agricultural Infrastructure and Facilities (PSP), which saw a Rp8.75 trillion cut. Other affected departments include:

• Secretariat General: Rp159.01 billion

• Directorate General of Food Crops: Rp889.21 billion

• Directorate General of Horticulture: Rp19.89 billion

• Directorate General of Plantations: Rp31.73 billion

• Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health (PKH): Rp98.73 billion

• Agency for Standardization and Agricultural Instruments: Rp119.03 billion

Focus on Strategic Programs

Despite the cuts, Amran assured that the remaining funds would be allocated to priority programs to safeguard national food security.

"We hope the DPR understands the situation and provides guidance to ensure that strategic programs continue," he said.

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