A strong earthquake struck Indonesia, prompting a tsunami alert. On 2 April 2026, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off North Sulawesi province in Indonesia. One person was killed due to the collapse of a building in Sario District, Manado. A tsunami warning was issued for North Sulawesi and parts of North Maluku, prompting residents to evacuate from their homes. Small tsunami waves of 0.2 to 0.3 metres were detected following the quake. The tremor also triggered regional earthquake alerts in Malaysia and the Philippines.   Rescue teams were deployed to search for possible victims and assist affected communities, while residents were urged to remain vigilant.

Source: Jakarta Globe. (2026, Apr 2).  Strong 7.6 Quake Hits North Sulawesi, Kills One and Triggers Tsunami Alerts.

A minor earthquake hit Malaysia with no damage reported. On 4 April 2026, a 3.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Batu Pahat, Malaysia, approximately 42 kilometres south of Batu Pahat. Tremors were also felt in parts of Johor. This was the fourth recorded earthquake in the area, following a 3.2-magnitude event on 14 March 2026. Local authorities continued to monitor the situation.

Source: The Vibes. (2026, Apr 4). Minor earthquake recorded off Batu Pahat, tremors possibly felt in Johor.

Indonesia's rice reserve is at about 4.5 million tonnes. According to the Minister of Agriculture, Indonesia’s rice reserves have reached a record 4.5 million tonnes. The increase is driven by the government’s policies, such as raising the government purchase price to 6,500 IDR per kilogramme of rice, the 20 percent discount in subsidy prices for fertilisers, the transition to modern agriculture, and various other strategic initiatives. The rice reserves are expected to reach 5 million tonnes soon and possibly reach 6 million tonnes within 2 months, which exceeds the storage capacity. Moreover, with the strong rice reserve and ongoing harvest potential, the government is confident that the national food supply will remain secure for the next 11 months.

Source: ANTARA News. (2026, April 5). Indonesia's rice reserves secure at 4.5 million tons: Minister.

The Viet Nam’s Agricultural sector has steady growth despite global pressures. The rice sector continues to face pressure from global uncertainties, including rising fuel and input costs and declining rice prices compared to 2023. Nevertheless, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), Viet Nam’s agricultural sector grew 3.58 percent in the first quarter of 2026, and rice production has reached 3.64 million tonnes. The ministry outlined its coordination with other ministries and sectors in implementing solutions to ensure that rice production and exports remain aligned with market developments. Despite 85 – 89 percent of Viet Nam’s rice varieties being of high quality, MAE also highlighted continuing to improve competitiveness through technology, faster production cycles, and digital transformation. Viet Nam also plans to expand emissions reduction efforts nationwide to meet its net-zero 2050 goal, while strengthening cooperation between local authorities and businesses to improve processing, storage, and long-term sustainability of the rice sector.

Source: Vietnam Plus. (2026, April 5). Ministry works to ensure rice production, exports align with market developments.

Japan adjusts rice policy to align rice production with demand and prevent shortages. Japan will shift its rice policy to match production with demand and prevent shortages. The measures aim to stabilise output, aiming instead to avoid oversupply that could affect farmers. The government will encourage producers to respond to demand, while still allowing increased production if needed. New measures include requiring food-related businesses to report rice stocks and prices periodically, and mandating the private sector to hold rice reserves of about 200,000 tonnes alongside government rice stockpiles. These changes in the country's rice policy, driven by a rice shortage and price surge in 2024, were caused by supply issues, high temperatures, and underestimated demand, with the government seeking to improve market stability and food security.

Source: Kyodo News. (2026, April 3). Japan gov't shifts rice policy to demand-based output after crisis