Jokowi Worried That Rice Reserves In 2024, RI Will Import Rice From India And Thailand

President Joko Widodo. (Photo: Aris Nurjani/VOI)

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) admits that he is worried about rising food commodity prices in the midst of a small global food supply due to the El Nino phenomenon.

"The price of this food commodity must be careful. I am a little worried about food commodities. Because yesterday when our rice production super el nino fell slightly," said Jokowi at the National Seminar Outlook for the Indonesian Economy, Friday, December 22.

Jokowi admitted that he had asked India and Thailand for help to be able to import 1 million and 2 million tons of rice each for the needs of the Indonesian people in 2024.

Jokowi said that it was difficult for Indonesia to find a country that was willing to pour its rice reserves because this condition did not only occur in Indonesia, but at least 22 rice producing countries were still stopping food exports and braking sales.

"The Head of Bulog from India has conveyed to us, and 1 million tons (imports) have been signed," said Jokowi.

In addition, Jokowi also said that he had met with the Prime Minister of Thailand at the Asean-Japan Summit to ask for rice import assistance for 2024.

"Then also when I was at the Asean-Japan Summit in Tokyo, in the holding room I conveyed my desire to be able to import from Thailand. I conveyed that Indonesia needed 2 million tons. Then tell me in the afternoon 2 million tons of Thailand are ready to be sent to Indonesia," added Jokowi.

To date, Indonesia has secured a supply of imported rice from India of 1 million tons and 2 million tons from Thailand.

He considered that Indonesia should be able to produce its own rice and not imports from other countries.

"This should not be disturbed by hands, because it is imported, if it is self-produced, we will applaud. But to secure strategic reserves of food security, it must be done," said Jokowi.

Nevertheless, Jokowi believes that the Indonesian economy will continue to grow and be able to face various global risks in 2024.

"I am still optimistic that next year's economic growth will be in the range of 5 percent. However, we must remember and be aware that global uncertainty is still ongoing," said Jokowi.