Amran Claims 5.2 Million Ton Rice Stock is Safe until the Raya Harvest

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman. (Teddy VOI)

JAKARTA - The government claims that national rice stocks are sufficient to face the threat of El Nino. Government-controlled supplies are said to reach 5.2 million tons and are expected to be able to support the needs until the harvest season.

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman said that current food stocks are still at a safe level. In addition to government supplies, the growing rice crop is expected to produce 10 million to 11 million tons.

"Most importantly, today our stock remains at 5.2 million tons. God willing, it's safe," said Amran at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Tuesday, July 28.

According to Amran, food reserves are also available in households, hotels, restaurants, and catering or Horeka. The number is said to reach around 12 million tons.

Amran estimates that the supply is sufficient to meet the needs of about 10 months. That period will meet the peak harvest season in March.

"If you count the next 10 months, it will overlap with March. March is the peak harvest, so it's safe," he said.

He admitted that drought had begun to occur in a number of areas. However, the impact has not been assessed as threatening food production nationally.

Amran also said that the risk of rising prices of basic commodities could be suppressed because rice was available in government warehouses. However, he did not specify the projection of monthly needs or the location of the stock storage.