Conflict of interest in Indonesia’s rice import policy between maintaining food security and protecting local farmers

Abstract

Consumption and demand for rice as a staple food for people in Indonesia is relatively high. At the same time, Indonesia is one of the largest rice producers in Indonesia. Even so, the Indonesian government continues to implement a rice import policy to meet food needs in the world. This policy caused controversy in society when local farmers felt that the policy was detrimental to them. This research aims to analyze conflicts of interest over rice import policies in Indonesia using a qualitative descriptive method involving the scientific perspective of international relations. In the discussion section, the concept of food security is used as a tool for analysis. To obtain data, the author used literature study techniques sourced from journal articles, books, government/organization reports, mass media reports, and other sources related to Indonesia's rice import policy. The research results show that the rice import policy in Indonesia is multidimensional in both the formulation and implementation processes. In this case, the complexity of various sector needs that are directly related to rice import activities has made the government take a policy to import rice to meet national rice reserves, but on the other hand it has received various protests, especially from local farmers due to the drop in prices due to the rice import policy. The conflict of interest that occurs creates a real dilemma in efforts to realize food security and protect the existence of local farmers.