Indonesia is one of the world’s biggest rice producers, but plans to import extra rice from India in an El Niño emergency

The Indonesian government plans to import 1 million tonnes of rice from India in an “emergency” situation, despite Indonesia being one of the biggest rice producers in the world. The government said it is a “necessary” decision to ensure a sufficient supply of rice. But Indonesian farmers have questioned the decision, while experts said there could be other ways to secure the country’s rice stock. So how is the debate shaping up in Indonesia, where rates of rice consumption are some of the highest in the world? The agreement with India was made to anticipate the impact of El Niño, where Indonesia might see a longer dry season that would affect local rice production, Indonesia’s Trade Minister Trade Zulkifli Hasan said earlier this month. The minister also revealed that rice was needed because there is a “diminished” amount in the government rice reserves stock, which according to the National Food Agency, was at only 220,000 tonnes. “Even though it’s hard, because I don’t agree ...