Ridwan Kamil: O Central Government, Rice Imports Will Threaten Farmers' Welfare

Governor of West Java, Ridwan Kamil. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Governor of West Java (West Java) M Ridwan Kamil has proposed to the central government to postpone rice imports because he thinks imports have the potential to make local rice prices fall, thus threatening the welfare of farmers, moreover, in the near future, there will be a big harvest.

"West Java's proposal to the central government is better to postpone rice imports," said Emil, Ridwan Kamil's nickname after absorbing the aspirations of farmers representatives in 27 districts / cities virtually at Gedung Sate, Bandung City, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, March 17.

Emil said, imports can be done when the domestic rice stock is in deficit. However, currently, rice stocks are still abundant, especially in West Java which is currently in a surplus condition.

"If our position is in a rice crisis, I think imports make sense, but we have a surplus," he said.

According to Emil, he did not want the rice import policy to threaten the welfare of farmers. Therefore, more mature time management is needed regarding rice imports.

In addition, Emil said that the Association of Farmer Groups (Gapoktan) in Cirebon Regency hopes that rice imports will not be carried out just before the big harvest.

"Earlier, Cirebon farmers confessed that Bulog, which used to buy 120 thousand tons, has now dropped to 21 thousand tons," he said.

The solution, Emil continued, is that instead of importing rice, it is better to buy rice from West Java farmers whose stocks are still abundant. As of next April, West Java's rice stock has a surplus of 320 thousand tons.

"Our rice is still suprlus 320 thousand tons until April, this is already a lot of excess. So instead of importing rice, it is better to buy abundant West Java rice," he said.