Contents of soil phosphorus and potassium vary appreciably in different localities of the Indonesian Archipelago. Data collected for riceland soils from seven irrigation areas (five on Java and one each on Sumatra and Sulawesi) show that average available phosphorus contents in the tilled layer may range from 23 ppm P at the Sumatra location to 203 ppm Pat the Sulawesi location. Average exchangeable potassium contents ranged from less than 0.2 meq/100g. K in the Sumatran soils to over 1.0 meq/100g. in potash‐rich soils of Java. Distinct regional differences in soil fertility of the magnitude observed indicate that blanket fertilizer recommendations cannot be made if rice production is to be increased without wasting chemical fertilizers which are relatively scarce and expensive in Indonesia. Increased emphasis must be placed on soil testing and soil fertility research in order to achieve the national goal of self‐sufficiency in food stuffs.