Prices Still High In 214 Regencies/Cities, Badanas Presents Cheap Rice Access For Residents

JAKARTA - The National Food Agency (Bapanas) ensures that supply stabilization efforts and rice prices continue to be intensified in various regions, especially in 214 regencies/cities that are still above the Highest Retail Price (HET).

Head of Badanas, Arief Prasetyo Adi said, interventions were carried out specifically through the distribution of Perum Bulog rice which was sold cheaper than the market price.

"If the HET for medium rice in Zone 1 is Rp. 13,500 per kilogram, then Bulog comes with rice for Rp. 12,500 per kilogram. That way, people have access to cheaper rice and this is expected to have a real impact on reducing prices in the market," he said in an official statement, Wednesday, September 3.

In addition to market operations, Bulog also accelerated the distribution of rice food assistance to 18.2 million beneficiary families (KPM). This program has been realized by almost 99 percent with a share of 20 kilograms of rice per family.

On the other hand, Arief discussed the increase in the price of medium rice from Rp. 12,500 to Rp. 13,500 per kilogram. According to him, this is a reasonable adjustment due to the high price of unhulled rice at the farmer level which now reaches Rp. 6,500' Rp. 7,000 per kilogram.

For him, this decision is important so that the farming business chain to milling continues. "If the price of grain is high, then the price of medium rice also needs to be adjusted. Importantly, Bulog is here to provide cheaper price options to the public," he said.

On another occasion, the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian said that the number of regions whose rice prices fell from 51 to 58 districts/cities. According to him, that is a good signal from the food stabilization intervention program that the government continues to encourage. However, the rice intervention program will be intensified in districts/cities that are still experiencing an increase in rice prices.

"Even so, there are still 214 regencies/cities whose rice prices are above the government's reference price. This week we will focus on these areas with joint steps involving the National Food Agency, Bulog, and the Ministry of Agriculture," Tito said at the Inflation Control Coordination Meeting, on Tuesday, September 2.