Most of Indonesia has a moist tropical climate, with abundant rains and high temperatures. December, January, and February are the months with highest rainfall. Rice is an important commodity and is subsidized by the government through inputs and price support. As a result, the country attained self-sufficiency in 1984. In 1995 Indonesia imported 3.2 million t of rice to cope with the short-fall in domestic production due to natural disasters.
Rice is the staple food of the people.
In rice- growing areas, it is a major source of income for the farmers. With diversification programs, however, other commodities included in the farming systems supplement the income from rice. But in Java many ricelands are being converted into nonagricultural use such as housing and industry. There is, however, potential of expansion of rice area in the coastal wetlands in the outer islands. Dryland crops, however, usually follow the rice crop in rainfed lowland areas.