West Java Bulog Ensures Rice Stock Is Safe Until Eid 2024

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

The Perum of the Logistics Affairs Agency (Bulog) for the West Java Region ensures that rice stocks for the basic needs of the community in 27 regencies/cities in the area are sufficient until Lebaran 2024.

West Java Bulog Leader M Attar Rizal said the availability of rice was 74,000 tons and soon rice stocks would be sent by the center.

"We will add more rice stock from the harvest in March, from domestic procurement," said Athar in Bandung, West Java, quoted from Antara, Sunday, January 21.

According to him, West Java Bulog is ready to import rice from abroad if there is no harvest in March, so it is certain that the need for rice is safe until Eid.

"If it can't be absorbed from within the country, we have to go abroad. Because it is very important for our stomach," he said.

To increase West Java's rice stock, Attar revealed that his province will get an additional 88,000 rice stocks to meet the needs of the community.

"Then, later during January to March there will be no harvest, we will add more from foreign procurement which I think is enough. Because the next ship will send 88,000 tons," he said.

Attar said to reduce rice prices, his party will continue to distribute 10 kilograms of rice food aid to 4,445,601 beneficiaries in West Java until June 2024.

In addition, he continued, his party will also continue to distribute rice in the Food Supply and Price Stabilization program (SPHP) until the end of December 2024 to anticipate the soaring price of rice due to El Nino.

"To overcome the turmoil in price increases and purchasing power, we distribute SPHP rice and market operations in collaboration with local governments. Last year we succeeded in reducing the increase in rice prices in this way," said Attack.