Bulog Affirms Ready To Absorb Farmers' Corn In Accordance With HPP Rp4,200 Per Kilogram

JAKARTA - President Director of Perum Bulog Bayu Krisnamurthi firmly stated that the readiness to absorb corn from farmers is in accordance with the government purchase price (HPP) which has been set at IDR 4,200 per kilogram (kg).

"Bulog is ready to absorb farmers' corn, the absorption is of course in accordance with the HPP (government purchase price) of Rp4,200," said Bayu, quoted from Antara, Thursday, March 14.

The statement was in response to Agricultural Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman's request that Bulog absorb farmers' corn because it experienced a drop price of up to IDR 2,500 per kg.

Bayu firmly ensures his commitment to carry out the assignment of government corn reserves (CJP) in accordance with applicable regulations.

He emphasized that if there is corn at a price below the HPP, but meets the quality criteria set, such as a maximum water level of 15 percent, Bulog will be ready to buy the corn at a price of Rp4,200 per kg, no matter how much.

"If there is corn at a price of Rp. 2,500 and quality criteria according to the provisions, one of which is water level of 15 percent, then Bulog will be ready to buy (according to HPP of Rp. 4,200 per kg) regardless of the amount," said Bayu.

Bayu also invited the public, especially farmers, to immediately report if there were corn that met quality criteria and was available in villages.

He emphasized that once there is a report on the availability of corn at prices below the HPP and meets the specified quality criteria, his party will immediately make a purchase.

Bayu revealed that the decision was part of Bulog's commitment to support farmers in maintaining the welfare and sustainability of agricultural production in Indonesia.

According to Bayu, by buying corn from farmers in accordance with the HPP set by the government, Bulog seeks to ensure that farmers get fair and stable prices for their crops.

"Bulog is committed to carrying out the assignment of government corn reserves (CJP) in accordance with applicable regulations. Please inform when and in the village where there is corn (at the selling price of the drop), then Bulog will immediately buy it," said Bayu.

Bayu added that his party received reports from a number of private feed companies and factories as of March 7, 2024, that the purchase price of corn varied from Rp4,500 per kg to Rp4,600 per kg. The price is above the set HPP, which is Rp4,200 per kg.

Previously, Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman urged Perum Bulog and feed entrepreneurs who are members of the Association of Livestock Food Companies (GPMT) to immediately absorb farmers' corn so that prices do not fall.

"I want to say we have no point in holding a meeting if farmers are still suffering. Don't scream loudly but the price falls, don't blow up, just talk. So once again, it's time for us to help farmers absorb," Amran said at the Coordination Meeting for Anticipation of Corn Harvest at the Central Office of the Ministry of Agriculture in Jakarta, Thursday.

Amran revealed that corn farmers complained that the price was currently falling. In fact, farmers' corn prices can touch Rp. 2,500 per kilogram, while the government purchase price (HPP) set is Rp. 4,200 per kg.