By: Dhita Karuniawati )
Food price stability is one of the key foundations in safeguarding national food security while supporting the sustainability of the food self-sufficiency program. The Indonesian government recognizes that stable food prices are not only about the availability of food commodities, but also closely tied to farmers’ welfare, people’s purchasing power, and overall economic stability. For this reason, various strategic policies continue to be implemented to ensure domestic food prices remain under control, despite global challenges such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, and international commodity price fluctuations.
For the public, stable food prices mean certainty in meeting daily needs. Price increases that are too high will burden households, especially lower- and middle-income groups, while prices that are too low could harm farmers as producers. The government plays the role of a stabilizer, ensuring that prices formed in the market reflect fairness for both producers and consumers.
The government’s food self-sufficiency program is not only focused on production availability but also on distribution and price control. The government is committed to ensuring that farmers’ harvests are not sold at a loss while consumers are still able to purchase food at affordable prices. This effort is carried out through synergy among various institutions, from related ministries to regional governments.
On August 30, 2025, the Indonesian government distributed around 43,665 tons of Stabilization of Supply and Food Price (SPHP) rice simultaneously through the Gerakan Pangan Murah (Cheap Food Movement/GPM). The initiative was centered at the Ministry of Agriculture office in Jakarta and expanded to thousands of distribution points across the country. This distribution is part of the SPHP rice allocation targeted to reach 1.3 million tons for the July–December 2025 period.
Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that GPM was carried out to stabilize rice prices that had previously been volatile. He stressed the importance of building a healthy food ecosystem, highlighting that anomalies had occurred in many regions. According to him, the Gerakan Pangan Murah is a concrete effort to stabilize rice prices so that they remain affordable and accessible to the people.
This initiative represents a synergy among the Coordinating Ministry for Food, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of SOEs, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the National Food Agency, Perum Bulog, Pos Indonesia, Pupuk Indonesia Holding Company (PIHC), ID Food, and PT Perkebunan Nasional.
The distributed SPHP rice was sold at Rp 60,000 per 5-kilogram package. Distribution reached 4,320 subdistricts across 38 provinces. In addition, distribution was strengthened through cross-sector collaboration: 414 distribution points with Polri, 449 with TNI, 129 through SOE networks, and 415 through other distribution channels.
President Director of Bulog, Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, explained that the Gerakan Pangan Murah was carried out to ensure stability, affordability, and to keep inflation in check. He noted that this movement is highly strategic in ensuring rice availability at stable prices across all layers of society, serving as tangible proof of the government’s presence in safeguarding food security and protecting people’s purchasing power.
Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian expressed his appreciation for this food price stabilization initiative. He pledged full support and committed to encouraging all regional governments across Indonesia to carry out similar programs.
Tito added that previous food operations had shown positive results. Four weeks earlier, rice price increases were recorded in 233 districts/cities. By August 25, 2025, during an inflation meeting, the number had dropped to 200 areas. This, he emphasized, shows that stabilizing rice prices through Bulog’s stock distribution is the most effective strategy.
At the regional level, the Gorontalo Provincial Government, together with local governments down to subdistrict levels, held the Gerakan Pangan Murah in coordination with the national program. The event was initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs and conducted across 7,285 subdistricts nationwide, including Gorontalo Province.
In Gorontalo, the GPM was centered at Menara Limboto public area and the Gorontalo City Green Open Space, witnessed via national teleconference by the Minister of Home Affairs, the Minister of Agriculture, the President Director of Bulog, and several other senior officials.
The GPM in Gorontalo was organized by the Provincial and District/City Food Security Offices, with full support from TNI and Polri, as well as involving food distribution partners. Residents were able to purchase basic commodities such as rice, cooking oil, sugar, chicken eggs, and other essential goods at more affordable prices.
Head of Gorontalo Province Food Security Office, Ramdan Pade, stated that the Gerakan Pangan Murah is concrete evidence of synergy between the central and regional governments in safeguarding food security for the people. The initiative was carried out across all districts in Gorontalo, aligned with the national program. The presence of ministers, Bulog’s director, and other high-ranking officials further proved that the government is committed to ensuring food price stability and guaranteeing affordable access to basic food for the people.
Food price stability is a guarantee for people to live with peace of mind, for farmers to remain prosperous, and for the state to safeguard sovereignty. Through various policy instruments, the Indonesian government remains committed to maintaining price balance while strengthening the foundation of food self-sufficiency. Despite global challenges and domestic dynamics, well-directed strategies, technological support, and cross-sector synergy will be the key to success. With stable food prices, the vision of sustainable food self-sufficiency will not merely remain a hope, but a reality felt by all Indonesians.
*) The author is a Contributor at the Institute for Strategic Information Studies Indonesia