The Strategy Of The Minister Of Agriculture Syahrul To Stabilize The Stock And Price Of Rice During Christmas And New Year: Pangkas Chain Distribution

Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Agriculture is making various efforts to maintain rice supply and the price is affordable ahead of Christmas 2022 and New Year's 2023. One of the strategies implemented is to cut the distribution chain.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mentan), Syahrul Yasin Limpo admitted that he had brought farmers' rice production closer to consumers, so that the distribution chain was cut.

"This effort is expected to make prices more affordable, but farmers still benefit," he told reporters, Sunday, December 25.

Syahrul said, this distribution chain is a special concern to prevent price fluctuations in the market and provide food at affordable prices, but quality is maintained.

"Another effort made by the Ministry of Agriculture is the distribution of affordable rice in Jabodetabek," he said.

He revealed that until the third week of December 2022, rice distribution had been carried out in six locations in the East Jakarta area, one location in South Jakarta, and several locations in Bogor, Depok, and Bekasi.

Meanwhile, the Coordinator of Data Evaluation Substance and Reporting of the Directorate General of Food Crops, Batara Siagian, said that she had marketing rice at six points in East Jakarta on December 14, 2022.

The same steps were also taken at five points in Jabodetabek, namely in Bogor, Depok and Bekasi on December 22, 2022 and there will be more in the next few days before the new year.

Batara said the first rice that was marketed was 2.5 tons and yesterday on the 22nd was 2.5 tons. So that a total of 5 tons have been marketed. As for the rice sold in the type of Medium and Premium, medium rice is sold at a price of Rp. 9,400,000.

"This price is certainly lower than the current market price and it is hoped that the community can be helped," said Batara.

Regarding the distribution chain, Batara said, it is necessary to have special attention and active roles from several related parties, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade, and Bulog, now there is Bapanas, starting from collecting rice data from farmers to rice marketed.

"This should be a concern so that the increase in rice prices can even be minimized," he said.

Separately, the Director General of Food Crops, Suwandi, revealed that this intervention was in accordance with the direction of the Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo in the context of providing foodstuffs ahead of the 2022 Christmas and 2023 New Year celebrations.

"This aims to bring rice production from farmers closer to consumers, because the current increase in rice prices is due to a too long distribution chain, with this, it is hoped that the community can be helped and farmers can still enjoy the price of grain," said Suwandi.