The Limit for Buying SPHP Rice Has Been Lifted, Bulog Allows the Public to Buy up to 5 Bags

SPHP rice (photo: between)

Perum Bulog will revoke the rules limiting the purchase of rice for the Stabilization of Food Supply and Prices (SPHP) which was previously a maximum of two sacks per transaction. In the future, the public is allowed to buy SPHP rice up to five sacks.

"So now it is not limited to two more packs, but it could be five packs, like that," said Perum Bulog President Director Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani at the DPR RI Building, Jakarta, Wednesday, January 21.

Rizal emphasized that Bulog has adequate government rice reserves (CBP) to meet the surge in demand for SPHP rice in the community. According to him, the readiness of stocks and distribution is not a constraint.

"We are ready, there is no problem, it's already been done," he said.

Even though the purchase restrictions have been loosened, Bulog still carries out distribution arrangements, especially in the rice production center area. This step is taken to keep the price of farmers' grain from falling ahead of the harvest season.

"However, especially in food production centers, the volume will be reduced. But for those outside the food production centers, it's normal, like usual," said Rizal.

Rizal explained that the reduction in volume was temporary and would be adjusted to the planting and harvesting cycle.

"This SPHP will later be at the time of the food production center of the harvest, we will reduce it, like reducing the volume only like that. Later when the planting season comes again, we will increase the volume again," he said.

Bulog also targets that the distribution of SPHP rice can reach the Red and White Village/Subdistrict Cooperative (KDMP). Currently, there are still constraints related to the capital of cooperatives, but the government targets regulatory support and budget to immediately fall.

"Yes, maybe in the near future, this February there is certainty, there is already a decrease in budget support, as well as laws, and so on," said Rizal.