Bulog Reveals Corn Absorption Of Local Farmers Has Reached 18,000 Tons

President Director of Perum Bulog Bayu Krisnamurthi (Photo: Aris Nurjani/VOI)

KARAWANG - President Director of Perum Bulog Bayu Krisnamurthi said that Bulog had conveyed that the total absorption of farmers' corn by Bulog had reached 18,000 tons.

Meanwhile, Bayu said that the largest total corn absorption by Bulog came from two drying facilities for corn, namely in Gorontalo and Dompu.

"Currently, we have absorbed around 18 thousand tons of corn, especially in 2 places, in West Nusa Tenggara Dompu and in the Mongondow Gorontalo Islands from the two places," he explained.

Meanwhile, from other regions, according to Bayu, only contributed a few hundred tons out of a total of 18,000 tons.

"From other areas such as East Java and other regions there are but not with too many just a few hundred tons," he said.

Previously, the Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi asked Perum Bulog, including all parties, both business actors and stakeholders in the field of corn food, to optimize the absorption of domestic production so that the price does not fall.

"In essence, how can farmers' corn harvests be absorbed properly. The government through Perum Bulog has implemented it and other stakeholders such as private sectors for feed and poultry breeders, we have also collected and produced a joint commitment in corn absorption," said Arief, quoted (Between) in his statement, Saturday, May 18.

Arief admitted that Bapanas intensively continued to coordinate corn absorption measures with relevant stakeholders. His party has also made direct field visits to corn centers in Bima and Dompu, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

During the visit, which was also attended by Perum Bulog, corn business actors, and farmer associations/operations, agreed on a joint absorption commitment with prices in accordance with the provisions of the purchase reference price flexibility (HAP) policy at the producer level and sales reference price (HAP) at the consumer level.

The big corn harvest in Bima and Dompu is expected to continue until next July. To anticipate oversupply and falling prices, we together with stakeholders are committed to accelerating the corn distribution process, especially to livestock centers in Java," he said.

For information, the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) estimates that total corn production from January to June 2024 will reach 6.56 million tons. This figure is 0.77 million tons lower than the same period last year.