Coordinating Minister Zulhas: Rice Food Assistance Continues Next Year

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs (Menko) Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs (Menko Pangan) Zulkifli Hasan ensured that the government will continue the rice social assistance (bansos) next year or 2025.

The continuation of this assistance has also been decided in a limited meeting chaired by President Prabowo Subianto.

The man who is familiarly called Zulhas said that for the January-February 2025 period, Bulog will supply as much as 160,000 tons of rice per month. The assistance will be given to 16 million beneficiary families (KPM).

"So it has been decided (to continue) the average made by the President. In January there will be 160,000 tons for 16 million recipients," said Zulhas after the Limited Coordination Meeting of the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs in Jakarta, Friday, November 29.

Not only that, Zulhas said Bulog would also be asked to carry out market operations or stabilize food supply and prices (SPHP) so that rice supplies would still be met. Where in January Bulog will distribute 150,000 tons of rice. Then, next year's February period will be distributed 150,000 tons.

"And the SPHP for January (2025) is 150,000 tons and for February 150,000 tons," he said.

Zulhas explained that this decision was taken because in January and February 2025 rice production was still minimal or below 2 million tons. Meanwhile, he said, consumption needs were 2.6 million tons.

Stok Bulog (there is) 2 million. So with the help of food, with the SPHP, the 2-month Bulog will decrease by 320,000 tons (for food assistance), added 300 (SPHP), to 620,000 tons. But Bulog will absorb maybe 1 million more. So it was decided last week," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of the National Food Agency Arief Prasetyo Adi said the rice food assistance was continued because the program was needed to stabilize rice supply and prices.

Arief explained that at the beginning of the year, rice supply would decrease. This condition will have the potential to increase rice prices. Therefore, this assistance was given to 16 million people.

"Bulog got a list of recipients of this rice food assistance from the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture," said Arief.