Controlling Inflation Ahead Of Ramadan, BI And The East Java Provincial Government Directs Focus To The Food Sector

Illustration (Photo: Instagram @smindrawati)

JAKARTA - Bank Indonesia together with the Provincial Government (Pemprov) of East Java strengthened efforts to control inflation through the National Movement for Food Inflation Control (GNPIP) 2023.

Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia (BI) Juda Agung said the need to increase productivity, increase the efficiency of food distribution routes, and the importance of being aware of the risk of bad weather caused by El Nino which could have an impact on the prolonged dry season.

Juda explained that several programs have been carried out together, namely: 2,638 low-cost market operations points, 65 Inter-Regional Cooperation, 75 Ongkos Transport Subsidy Programs, 2.39 million polybags of chili seeds, as well as the provision of alsintan and spray at 45 KPwDN Bank Indonesia.

"East Java has the potential to develop Islamic boarding schools to support optimizing strategic food security," he said in a press statement on Friday, March 17.

According to Juda, the special program currently being encouraged is Integrated Farming with Technology and Information or Infratani.

"This program develops technology-based horticultural cultivation infrastructure, which is currently spread across 90 Islamic boarding schools in various regions," he said.

On the same occasion, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa conveyed that the strategic role of food security needs to continue to be built in a sustainable manner with the hard work and support of local government policies.

Khofifah said the main contributors to inflation in her area were broiler, broiler eggs, chilies, shallots, beef, and cooking oil.

"We continue to invite to strengthen strategic steps to maintain commodity supply, both structurally and technically, so that supply availability can be maintained and inflation is controlled throughout the year," he said.

For information, GNPIP which is implemented in East Java includes digital farming programs in 15 rice clusters and various chilies and various onions covering an area of 500 hectares.

In addition, the East Java GNPIP also encourages smooth distribution through the Cheap Basic Food Program with QRIS and the digitization of the Food Supply Chain and Distribution Facilitation in the context of strategic food commodity market operations.