Beware Of El Nino, Government Trys To Stock Rice At The End Of The Year 2.2 Million Tons

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated that the government continues to seek strategic steps to secure national food stocks in the second half of 2023.

According to him, this strategy was pursued in line with the potential for pressure due to the occurrence of El Nino until the end of the year.

"We will carry out mitigation, as yesterday we had a meeting in the food sector with the desire (to decide) so that rice stocks towards the end of the year can be above 2.2 million tons. This was yesterday's limited meeting with the President," he said when answering reporters' questions in Jakarta, Monday, August 7.

Airlangga explained that the decision of the important meeting gave direction and authority to the Logistics Affairs Agency (Bulog) to be able to take actions deemed necessary in maintaining national food.

"The directive is clear, food availability until the end of the year is secured," he said.

Airlangga added that his party also strengthens coordination with the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) so that they can formulate policies appropriately.

"The Ministry of Agriculture has also promised several areas that can be boosted by agriculture by preparing specifics of certain seeds that are more resistant to weather changes," said Airlangga.

In addition to the mitigation step, VOI noted that the government also plans to provide additional social assistance (bansos) in the form of rice worth a total of Rp. 8 trillion to 21.35 million beneficiary families (KPM) starting October 2023.

This was conveyed by the Minister of Finance (Menkeu) Sri Mulyani when holding a press conference some time ago.

"People will get 10 kg of rice every month. This is the on top of the distribution of rice food assistance that has been carried out from March to May 2023," said the Minister of Finance.