JAKARTA – The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) has officially launched the “Beras Haji Nusantara” (Nusantara Hajj Rice) program. This strategic initiative aims to fulfill the nutritional needs of Indonesian pilgrims during the 1447 H/2026 M Hajj season by sourcing staple food directly from Indonesian farmers.
The program was introduced by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, during a high-level ministerial meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs in Jakarta on Monday (Feb 9). Beyond logistics, the initiative marks a significant move toward food sovereignty and international branding of Indonesian agricultural products.
Meeting the 2,280-Ton Demand
The Ministry estimates that 205,420 individuals—comprising both regular pilgrims and Hajj officials—will require approximately 2,280 tons of rice during the pilgrimage. This calculation is based on a total of 111 scheduled meals provided throughout the Hajj operation:
- 78 meals in Makkah
- 27 meals in Madinah
- 6 meals in the critical sites of Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna).
Minister Yusuf emphasized that the government is mandating the use of premium-grade rice with a “long grain” specification and a maximum broken percentage of 5%.
”We want to ensure that every grain of rice consumed by our pilgrims meets the highest quality standards and carries the authentic taste of the archipelago,” the Minister stated.
Competitive Pricing and Nutritional Standards
Historically, Hajj catering providers in Saudi Arabia have sourced rice from international markets at an average price of 150 SAR per 40 kg (approx. USD 1.05/kg). Through this national program, the Indonesian government aims to deliver domestic rice to Saudi kitchens at a competitive rate of approximately IDR 16,000 per kilogram.
In addition to sourcing, the program enforces a standardized meal composition to maintain pilgrim health:
- Rice: 170 grams
- Protein: 80 grams
- Vegetables: 75 grams
- Accompaniments: Mineral water and side condiments.
Strategic Implementation and Challenges
The Ministry acknowledged several administrative challenges, including the mechanism for utilizing the Government Rice Reserve (CBP) and the transition from medium to premium grade supplies.
To ensure success, the government is taking several concrete steps:
- Inter-Agency Task Force: Establishing a “Beras Haji Nusantara” Task Force involving multiple ministries and agencies.
- Contractual Mandate: The Hajj Affairs Office (KUH) will now require all catering vendors in Saudi Arabia to use Indonesian-sourced rice as a prerequisite for their contracts.
- Financial Support: The government is seeking approval for an Additional Budget (ABT) to provide subsidies, ensuring the price remains competitive for the Saudi catering ecosystem.
The “Beras Haji Nusantara” program is expected to serve a dual purpose: providing comfort and familiarity to pilgrims during their spiritual journey while serving as a global showcase for Indonesia’s premium agricultural exports in the Middle East.