Amran Says Indonesian Rice Stock is Safe in the Middle of the Timteng Crisis

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman said that the government's rice reserve stock, managed by Perum Bulog, remained stable at 4.5 million tons amid the turmoil in the Middle East, so that national food security remained safe and secure.

"(Government rice stocks) are now around 4.5 million tons. This is the highest during the republic. So, there is no doubt," said the Minister of Agriculture on the sidelines of reviewing the Panaikang Bulog Warehouse with the Deputy Director General (Wadirut) of Perum Bulog Marga Taufiq in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Sunday.

He said the surge in rice stocks was a tangible result of government policies that encouraged increased production in a short time, so that it could realize self-sufficiency in the commodity.

This can be achieved with the policy of increasing the government purchase price (HPP) of rice to Rp6,500 per kilogram, reducing subsidized fertilizer prices by 20 percent, modern agricultural transformation, and various other strategic policies.

"Now, (according to) President Prabowo's instructions, the President's main priority program has proven to be able to increase rice production in a short time, only one year," he said.

According to him, the current stock condition has even exceeded the capacity of the available warehouses, so the government must add storage space through a rental scheme.

"Our warehouse is full, the warehouse capacity is only 3 million tons, now we have rented 2 million tons of warehouses. We will rent it again in the future. It is possible, in the future, in 10 days, 20 days, the stock (rice) will be 5 million tons," he said.

Minister of Agriculture Amran also emphasized that this achievement has never happened before in Indonesian history.

"Have you ever heard that the Republic of Indonesia has 5 million tons of rice in stock? So, don't worry, food is safe," he said.

At the regional level, the increase in stocks is also significant, especially in South Sulawesi which now reaches 761 thousand tons or more than double compared to before.

"In South Sulawesi alone, it was 300 thousand tons, today (rice stock) 761 thousand tons, doubled. The stock of the whole of Indonesia is 4.5 million tons. In 20 days, 5 million tons and it is possible that in the next two months 6 million tons," he explained.

To support the absorption of the results of farmers' production, the government is also continuing to expand storage capacity.

"Imagine, in the past, the warehouse was rented to people because there was nothing in it. Now it's a warehouse rental," said Amran.

He ensured that the abundant stock conditions had been verified directly through thorough checks in the field.

"We have to check it out right away. We shouldn't, this is not the time to pretend. We see in front, we see the truck. This is the back warehouse, it's all full," said Amran.

"Please convey this to people who don't believe. And, those who don't believe, can check the warehouses throughout Indonesia," he added.

With this achievement, the government is optimistic that national food security will remain maintained in the long term.

He added that if taking into account stocks, reserves in the horeka sector (hotels, restaurants, and cafes), as well as ongoing harvest potential, the availability of national food is ensured to be safe.

"This means that the next 11 months are safe. The stock for the people of Indonesia is safe for the next 11 months," said Amran.