Press Rice Prices, Food Agency Asks Bulog To Continue To Flood Markets

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

Head of the National Food Agency (NFA) Arief Prasetyo Adi said that the disbursement of Perum Bulog rice to the Cipinang Main Rice Market (PIBC) will continue to be carried out.

The goal is to reduce the price of rice in the market, so that it can be corrected towards a new balance.

"Currently, the price of rice at PIBC has decreased, so we hope that rice prices in the derivative market will also continue to be corrected and price stability can be achieved," said Arief while inspecting the rice warehouse at PIBC, East Jakarta, Wednesday, October 4.

According to Arief, the price of rice will be restrained through efforts to disburse rice on the Stabilization of Supply and Food Prices (SPH) to all market lines.

"The price of rice should be restrained with SPHP rice being flooded into PIBC like this. SPHP rice is also distributed by the government through modern retail and traditional markets. We continue to do this while waiting for the harvest," said Arief.

"Imagine if there is no food assistance and market operations like today. However, with the various efforts of the government that we are doing, our rice prices are still related and our stock is safe," he continued.

Arief also revealed that there are plans to increase rice food assistance so that the role of Government Rice Reserves (CBP) can further suppress prices.

"In the last meeting, Mr. President Joko Widodo has asked the Minister of Finance to prepare for the continuation of rice food assistance in December this year. NFA together with Bulog always ensures that CBP stocks are available and ready to channel to the wider community," concluded Arief.

Meanwhile, the President Director of Perum Bulog, Budi Waseso, said that the availability of stock has always been a concern for the government. He said, if domestic production is lacking, Jokowi will definitely ask Bulog to add rice stocks.

"Because the government guarantees the wide availability of the community. Until the end of the year, the stock is safe, our prediction is that there are still 1.2 million tons," said Budi.

Until now, the rice stock in Bulog has reached 1.7 million tons, consisting of 1.67 million tons of CBP and around 69,000 tons of commercial stock.

Meanwhile, rice distribution has also reached 1.7 million tons used, including the realization of 799,000 tons of SPHP, the first phase of food assistance of 640,000 tons, and the second phase of rice food assistance which is currently being boosted with the latest realization having reached 98.5 percent for the first month of 197,000 tons.