Jokowi Confesses Farmers Are Happy To Rise But People Buy Rice Complaints

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said farmers are happy if the price of unhulled rice goes up. But on the other hand, the people who buy rice will submit complaints to him.

This was said by Jokowi in his remarks at the handover of aid to 'Farmers Failed to Harvest' in Grobogan Regency, Central Java, Tuesday, January 23.

"Right now the farmers are happy, the price of the unhulled (up), I don't think I know. But if the price of unhulled rice goes up, it just keeps quiet. In the past, I remember that three years ago the price of unhulled rice was still Rp. 4,300, Rp. 4,200 (per kilogram). Now it's Rp. 7,800, Rp. 7,600. But if the price of unhulled rice is already Rp. 7,800, how much rice? Panjenengan is happy, but my people are sprayed," he said.

President Jokowi said the government wants to maintain a balance of prices so that farmers and the public are both happy.

However, Jokowi emphasized that it was not easy to maintain that balance. "So, the government went forward to be artened, resigned from art, was famous, ngulon was retired (the government went forward to be scolded, was scolded back, to the east was scolded, to the west was scolded). But, that's the government's job, solving problems, finding solutions," said Jokowi.

He emphasized that farmers should be grateful to Allah SWT if the price of unhulled rice increases. For farmers who experience crop failure in Central Java, the government provides assistance of IDR 8 million per hectare of rice fields.

"For those affected by El Nino, there is a flood and currently there is a rather long drought in Central Java, there are 16,000 hectares and today's recipients are Grobogan, Kudus, Jepara, Demak, and Pati Regencies. The assistance provided has also been calculated at IDR 8 million per hectare," he explained.

According to the Head of State, the amount of assistance has been calculated by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and is intended for production costs.

"Later, hopefully in the next three four months we will harvest it soon, then from there we can increase productivity," he hoped.