Jokowi's Order To Bulog: Maximize Grain And Rice Absorption From Farmers' Harvest

President Jokowi (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ordered the Public Logistics Affairs Agency (Bulog) to absorb farmers' crops optimally. Considering that now it has started the Grand Panen season.

This order was conveyed by Jokowi in a cabinet meeting at the State Insta in order to prepare and anticipate the availability and stability of basic commodities ahead of Eid Al-Fitr 2023.

"Especially for the President's direction so that Bulog absorbs unhulled rice or rice from farmers as much as possible, as much as possible," said Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan as quoted from the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube, Sunday, March 26.

Separately, Head of the National Food Agency (NFA) Arief Prasetyo Adi said the stock of foodstuffs in Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr will be maintained.

Regarding rice, according to Arief, the government is currently focusing on absorbing domestic production during the main harvest season. He is optimistic that the rice stock will meet the needs of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.

Arief detailed that currently the government's rice reserves (CBP) in Bulog reached 220,000 tons, and there will be additional Padi Milling Association (Perpadi).

"Bulog is about 220,000 tons while we are helping to absorb it, yesterday Perpadi will add 60,000 tons to Bulog, that's pretty good, so almost 300,000 tons," said Arief.

Although in general, the staple food commodity is in sufficient condition, Arief admits that there are several other food commodities whose fulfillment still comes from imports.

Such as buffalo meat, soybeans, and garlic. This commodity still depends on imports because domestic production is not sufficient for national needs," he explained.