Bulog Boss Admits Food Aid Can't Lower Rice Prices

President Director of Bulog Bayu Krisnamurthi (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - President Director of Perum Bulog Bayu Krisnamurthi admitted that food assistance in the form of 10 kilograms (kg) of rice provided by the government was unable to reduce the current high price of rice in the market.

For your information, rice prices reached a record high in February 2024. Meanwhile, this rice food aid program has been run by the government starting in 2023, even extended until June 2024.

"If someone says that this food aid has no effect on price reduction, that's right," said Bayu at the Food Supply and Price Security Coordination Meeting Ahead of Fasting and Eid Al-Fitr, at Kempinski Grand Ballroom, Jakarta, Monday, March 4.

Although it is not effective in suppressing rice prices, Bayu said this rice food assistance is very much needed. Teruma for groups that are vulnerable to rising food prices.

But there are 22 million families who are no longer looking for rice pressed to go to the market. They are the most sensitive with price increases," he said.

With this rice food assistance, continued Bayu, people of this vulnerable group can live the days calmly without worrying about the increase in rice prices.

"Giving 10kg of rice this month, the information we have received is approximately between 45-50 percent of the family's needs in 1 month. As soon as they are calm enough to live the days because they already have rice," he said.

Previously, President Joko Widodo said the function of the state was to provide food assistance when there was an increase in rice prices. Therefore, the government prepares rice food assistance until June 2024, each 10 kg per family, per month.

Jokowi also admitted that he could understand if 10 kg of rice assistance was not sufficient for monthly needs. However, he said at least assistance could help the community.

"Yes, if you ask questions, it's definitely not enough. I already know the answer is like that. But this still helps, right," he said.

The former governor of DKI Jakarta also promised that if the APBN is sufficient, the aid will continue to be distributed after June.

"We'll see in the APBN if the government has the ability to continue next. But my promise is until June first. Later, we will calculate the APBN approximately, we still have money, we can add it," added Jokowi.