Head Of Badanas: Indonesia Will Import 22,500 Tons Of Rice From Cambodia

Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi said the government would import 22,500 tons of rice from Cambodia.

These imports are carried out to meet the needs of rice stocks ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1445H, in addition to relying on domestic production.

"We prioritize domestic production, only for Bulog availability today, indeed procurement from abroad. From Cambodia 22,500 (tons)," he said after attending a meeting chaired by President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Monday, March 18.

According to Arief, Badanas is preparing a rice harvest in March-April 2024 to support the availability of rice stocks.

He admitted that he was optimistic that with the condition of the price of grain being corrected to Rp6,700 per kilogram, it would have an impact on decreasing rice prices, as long as production is in accordance with the plan.

Arief also believes that the government will be able to meet the needs of rice for the community ahead of Eid, including by providing assistance to beneficiary families (KPM).

Our people, who are the lowest 22 million KPM, have been given 10 kilograms of free food aid rice, last year (given for) seven months, now six months. So the 1-2 decile community as much as 98 percent has covered it," he said.

Through intervention by providing 10 kilograms of rice to 22 million KPM, he said, the government has indirectly met the needs of 8 percent of the total population of Indonesia.

"One household can be 3-4 people. So I mean it (anticipated). Then, the Cheap Food Movement, Pak (Minister of Home Affairs) Tito (Karnavian) and all local governments do it," he said.

Furthermore, Arief ensured that rice stocks in Bulog would continue to be monitored to remain at 1.2 million tons until June 2024.

"Today until June, it's still three months away. We have to arrange it. What is clear is that Bulog's stock must be maintained by 1.2 million (tons)," he said.