The Minister Of Agriculture Explained About The Oplosan Rice Polemic In The DPR, So A Momentum For National Governance Improvements

JAKARTA - Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman emphasized that the findings of 212 mixed rice brands were not just polemics, but also a big momentum to improve national rice governance which had been problematic.

In a joint working meeting with Commission IV of the DPR at the Parliament Complex, Tuesday, July 16, the Minister of Agriculture explained that the findings began with an anomaly in prices between farmers and consumers.

Two months ago prices at the farmer level and milling went down, but instead rose at the consumer level. This is an anomaly," said Amran.

In fact, according to data from the Central Statistics Agency, national rice production rose 14 percent or more than three million tons. This means that Indonesia has a surplus. However, the market price continues to rise, while farmers do not enjoy profits.

On that basis, the Ministry of Agriculture checked 268 rice brands from all over Indonesia, especially in 10 main producing provinces. The samples were tested in 13 laboratories, including Sucofindo, to ensure accuracy.

We found that around 8.5 percent did not match the standard. There is bulk rice that is repackaged and sold as premium or medium rice," he said.

Amran said that many of the quality and doses violated the rules. There is rice in five kilograms of packaging which turns out to contain only 4.5 kilograms. The loss due to this practice is estimated at IDR 99 trillion per year.

In fact, continued Amran, joint searches by the Food Task Force and the Ministry of Trade confirmed these findings. Of the 10 samples tested by the Ministry of Trade, nine of them did not meet the standard.

"If we find 86 percent inappropriate, the Ministry of Trade finds 90 percent. This is serious," said Amran.

He claimed that after the brands were announced, some manufacturers began to improve quality and adjust prices. Several companies have even started to appeal not to sell rice beyond quality standards.

Amran also said that the Ministry of Agriculture had written to the National Police Chief and the Attorney General's Office regarding this finding. Initial examinations have been carried out on 26 brands, and some of them have admitted violations.

"After we wrote, there began to be a shift. The unsuitable medium was 91 percent before, now it's down. Premium is also from 43 percent. This shows awareness is starting to grow," he said.

The Minister of Agriculture said, with the national rice stock currently reaching four million tons, the government is now more daring to make improvements.

"In the past, if the stock was only one million tons, we certainly wouldn't dare. But now this is momentum. Please support, because this concerns our food future," concluded Amran.