Minister Of Agriculture Amran: The Highest 3.18 Million Tons Of Rice Stock In 23 Years

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman reported that the national rice reserve stock (CBP) currently reaches 3.18 million tons or the highest in the last 23 years in Indonesia.

"Our current achievement, especially stock, is 3,180,000 tons per day. That is the highest for 23 years, maybe even during (Indonesia) independence," said the Minister of Agriculture when met on the sidelines of the National Coordination Meeting with 37 thousand Agricultural Extensions online and offline in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Sunday, April 27.

Amran said the rice stock figure currently in Perum Bulog's warehouse was thanks to the hard work of all national agricultural stakeholders.

Therefore, Amran expressed his gratitude to all parties, from the head of the service, field agricultural instructors (PPL), the ranks of the TNI-Polri, to BUMN such as Bulog and Pupuk Indonesia for their support in realizing this achievement.

In addition to stocks, the Minister of Agriculture also explained that national rice production jumped 50 62 percent in the January to April period this year, based on official data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

The surge in rice production is said to be inseparable from the direction of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto who issued the Presidential Instruction and Presidential Decree to accelerate the increase in national agricultural production.

The President has increased the allocation of fertilizers, simplified regulations, and accelerated the distribution of production facilities, thus having a significant impact on crop yields and strengthening national food security.

"This is thanks to our hard work on orders of great ideas by the President of the Republic of Indonesia. He is extraordinary, issuing an Inpres with a Presidential Decree during the 100-day leadership. This makes it easier for our farmers to access production facilities, especially fertilizers," said the Minister of Agriculture.

He also appreciated the role of field agricultural instructors and heads of offices as well as other related parties throughout Indonesia who were so compact and solid that rice production increased significantly.

The Minister of Agriculture said that this achievement was a matter of pride because Indonesia actually had a rice surplus when several neighboring countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines and Japan experienced food difficulties and price hikes.

"At this time we are surplus (rice), when friendly countries, neighboring Malaysia, the Philippines and Japan are having food difficulties. That is our pride," said the Minister of Agriculture.