Governor Khofifah Launches Distribution Of Second Phase Food Aid

East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa inspected the rice supply at Bulog Warehouse, Buduran, Sidoarjo, Wednesday (13/9/2023) ANTARA/Indra Setiawan

SIDOARJO - Governor of East Java Khofifah Indar Parawansa launched the distribution of government food assistance for the second phase for three months which was distributed from September to November 2023.

"The total amount of rice aid distributed for this second phase is 102 thousand tons for 3.4 million beneficiary families (KPM) in East Java. Where, every month 34 thousand tons of rice will be distributed and each KPM will receive assistance of 10 kg of rice for three months," he said on the sidelines of distributing the aid at the Bulog Banjarkemantren warehouse, Budurandi Sidoarjo, as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, September 13.

He said the food assistance in the form of rice for 3.4 million KPM would be a social cushion for the community.

"And at the same time it can provide price penetration in the market, especially for rice with medium quality," he said.

As of today, 68.69 tons of rice are distributed to the public, with details of Gresik Regency 8.7 tons and Modung District, Bangkalan Regency 59.99 tons.

He hopes that the distribution of food aid can be a penetration of the increase in rice prices in the market, while on the one hand the increase in milling dry unhulled rice (GKG) and dry rice (GKP) can provide benefits for farmers.

"Of course we hope that this will add value to the farmers," he said.

Khofifah said the price of rice was increased due to the increase in the prices of GKG and GKP, where the increase in rice prices did not only occur in East Java but in almost all parts of Indonesia.

"Indeed, the prices of GKP and GKG arrive at annealing above HET (Highest Retail Price), that's what causes rice prices, in the market it's also above HET," he said.

He explained that basically the supply of unhulled rice and rice in East Java is sufficient. In fact, compared to last year, East Java rice production in September 2023 was 520,889 tons GKG or 9.23 percent larger than the same period in 2022 which was 481,059 tons GKG.

"As of September 12, the price of medium rice in East Java reached Rp11,300. So, medium and premium rice in East Java is actually in a position that is not the highest and not the lowest, so there is a province that is actually exceeded by HET which is higher than East Java," he said.

Regional Leader of Perum BULOG Regional Office of East Java, Ermin Tora, hopes that the second phase of food assistance can restore the stability of rice prices in the market, as well as meet the needs of the community.

"We will immediately distribute this with the hope that this food assistance will later be able to make rice prices more stable, and in this effort the community can also meet their food needs," he said.