Indonesia said it has stopped importing rice after building up record stocks of 3.7 million tonnes, and guaranteed that domestic demand will be fully met.

Indonesia’s agriculture minister, Amran Sulaiman, said the rice stock was significantly higher than the usual level of two million tonnes.

Mr Sulaiman said, “Currently, all rice in the market is locally produced.”

He added that the government expanded rice fields and actively supports them by providing agricultural equipment and building storage facilities to ensure stable supplies.

Mr Suleiman also symbolically launched rice distribution programmes in six provinces to ensure food security and stabilise prices.

Meanwhile, Indonesian authorities plan to develop 20,000 hectares for rice cultivation this year, with a total target of 100,000 hectares, requiring an investment of around $195 million, as the Ministry of Agriculture has pledged to provide the necessary support.

(TV BRICS/NAN)