Ahead Of Eid Al-Adha, Safe Food Supply And Stable Prices

Head of the National Food Agency Arief Prasetyo Adi. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Head of the National Food Agency (NFA) Arief Prasetyo Adi ensures the supply of a number of food commodities is safe at stable prices ahead of Eid al-Adha.

"In anticipation of price spikes ahead of Eid al-Adha, NFA continues to facilitate food distribution for several food commodities, such as chili, onions, corn, beef," said Arief as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, July 5.

Regarding chili commodities, Arief said, the National Food Agency has facilitated the distribution of chilies from surplus areas in Wajo, Jeneponto, and Takalar regencies, South Sulawesi to deficit areas to ensure chili supplies are met in Jabodetabek main markets.

The distribution was carried out three weeks ago.

Arief said chili distribution aims to intervene in chili prices as well as have a positive impact on chili farmers.

Based on data from the Wajo Regency Government, the purchase price of chili at the farmer level can now reach Rp. 60,000, which was previously only Rp. 30,000, even below Rp. 10,000.

From the Wajo Regency data, the potential of the chili area is quite large for domestic fulfillment, and acts as a source of chili production to strengthen the national stock.

Based on data from the Department of Agriculture and Food Security of Wajo Regency as of the end of June 2022, the total production of Wajo chilies reached 1,244 tons with a planting area of 377 hectares and a harvested area of 972 hectares.

"This is in accordance with President Joko Widodo's mandate to increase food production as much as possible to meet domestic needs," he said.

Arief said that his party also facilitated the distribution of shallots, which currently distributed 36 tons to several areas including Palembang, Temanggung, and Bangka Belitung, which was carried out continuously.

Furthermore, corn commodities have also been facilitated for distribution of up to 1,139 tons from farmers from West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) to several areas in Central Java and East Java.

Arief emphasized that people should not worry about the availability of food supplies ahead of Eid al-Adha.

For the needs of cattle commodities, Arief continued, his party encourages people to make sacrifices online to prevent the spread of mouth and nail disease (FMD) which is considered legal and safe.

"Today what is needed is the collaboration of all parties to jointly prevent the spread of PMK," he said.