RI Will Import 2 Million Tons Of Rice, Badanas: Just To Close The Lack

Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi (Photo: Mery Handayani)

Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi said that the plan to import 2 million tons of rice was only to cover the shortage of absorption of domestic farmers' crops.

Arief emphasized that the government has priority to absorb domestic farmers' rice, even though rice import permits have been issued.

"Now everything we do is focus on the country, imports are only to complete the shortage," he said at the Bulog Kelapa Gading Warehouse Complex, North Jakarta, Thursday, April 6.

Furthermore, Arief said the government was in carrying out measurable imports. This means that imports will not be carried out as long as they are fulfilled from domestic harvests. Therefore, Arief asked the public not only to focus on the import plan to be carried out.

"Was the 500,000 imports carried out by Bulog last year disturbing the price of grain or rice for farmers? Not at all, that means the government is importing it which is measurable at the farm level," he said.

Meanwhile, the President Director of Perum Bulog, Budi Waseso, said that he would not question if the plan to import 2 million tons of rice was not fulfilled. As long as, he said, domestic needs were met.

"It's not as long as it's fulfilled domestically. Now it's Bulog's job to get it in terms of needs. Bulog is not for trade but for the benefit of the buffer stock earlier," he said.

Buwas, Budi Waseso's nickname, explained that currently, import permits have indeed been obtained. However, he said, his party has not entered into a contract with rice producing countries.

"Right now, we haven't auctioned yet, but we have warned us to go there. What can you afford if I bring it this month, for example 25,000, ok we lock it. (Look again) how much can you afford? 10,000, ok," he said.

Furthermore, Buwas revealed the reason for not having entered into a contract with a producing country. He said this was because if a contract had been carried out, Bulog had the obligation to bring in the rice.

"So for this month we are like that, but we haven't signed yet, we are following developments. Because if there is a contract, we want it or not, we have to bring it. Later, if we bring it but we don't need to? Now, what's the problem again," he explained.