Rice Harvest Production Capai More Than 5 Million Tons, Bulog Asked To Strengthen Stock

Photo: Special

Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), Arief Prasetyo Adi, said the peak of the rice harvest will begin this March, so this momentum must be optimized to strengthen the government's rice reserve stock (CBP).

Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), rice production this month can reach 5.48 million tons, while according to the projected food balance for consumption needs this month is 2.74 million tons.

Meanwhile, April production is estimated at 4.97 million tons with a consumption requirement of 2.54 million tons. The surplus could range from 2.43 million tons.

"Currently, it is time for Bulog to absorb the maximum yield from domestic farmers' crops. Our rice production projection in March will reach 5.48 million tons," he said in his statement, Thursday, March 13.

As for March 11, the realization of absorption equivalent to rice by Bulog has touched 255,000 tons or 8.52 percent of the total target of 3 million tons of rice equivalent. The government wants the adequacy of rice stocks managed by Bulog to come from domestic production.

In this case, Bapanas has issued a policy so that Bulog can absorb farmers' unhulled rice at a price of Rp. 6,500 per kilogram (kg). This step was determined through the Decree of the Head of the National Food Agency (Kepbadan) Number 14 of 2025 and the Head of the Agency Number 16 of 2025.

"The realization of Bulog's absorption is still around 250,000 tons. Now, in March and April it is time for Bulog to focus and continue to increase the quantity of absorption of grain/rice, in accordance with President Prabowo's direction to absorb dry grain, harvest is Rp. 6,500 per kg," said Arief.

Arief added that adequate CBP stocks are the key in maintaining national food security. The government can use CBP stock when there is price fluctuation in the market or a stimulus for assistance to low-income people.

"The adequacy of rice stocks in Bulog is what supports the stability of food supply and prices, because with these stocks and sufficient, various food stabilization interventions can be carried out such as the distribution of SPHP rice and rice food assistance. We can see that inflation is maintained to this day," he said.

Again, according to BPS records, the monthly rice inflation rate in February 2025 is decreasing to 0.26 percent. Meanwhile, rice inflation this year opened at 0.36 percent in January.