JAKARTA - Perum Bulog President Director Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani is optimistic that the target of absorbing 4 million tons of rice from the government in 2026 can be achieved by July despite facing the potential of drought due to the Godzilla El Nino phenomenon.
"Our prediction is that God willing, by the end of July (2026) we can break through (the target for absorption) 4 million tons (equivalent to rice)," said Rizal after the Meeting to Accelerate the Realization of Funding for the Absorption of Rice Equivalent Rice, reported by ANTARA, Monday, April 13.
He said Bulog had prepared various contingency measures to anticipate the impact of El Nino, including strategies to accelerate the absorption of rice in the midst of the dynamics of changing weather conditions.
According to him, the period from May to July, which is expected to be the peak of El Nino, coincides with the harvest season in various centers of national rice production.
Hot weather conditions during the harvest season are considered beneficial for farmers because it helps the process of naturally drying the grain so that the quality of the harvest is better and optimal.
Bulog also encourages all regional and branch leaders in the region to maximize the absorption of grain during the harvest period until July to secure the national target.
This acceleration step is also a proactive strategy if El Nino lasts longer until the end of the year, which has the potential to affect agricultural production in a number of regions.
Rizal said that as of April 13, 2026, Bulog's absorption achievement was recorded at around 48.7 percent or equivalent to 1.9 million tons of rice from the target set by the government.
This achievement, according to Rizal, is quite progressive considering it is still in the early years, so it gives room for optimism to pursue the remaining absorption target until mid-year.
In addition, Bulog's rice stock currently reaches 4.727 million tons and is projected to reach 5 million tons in the near future as the absorption continues to accelerate.
Rizal said that this year's target increased compared to the previous year which was 3 million tons, and was achieved as part of efforts to strengthen national food self-sufficiency.
With the achievement of almost half of the target in April, Bulog only needs to pursue about 50 percent of the remaining absorption target in the next few months in a measurable and planned manner.
He is optimistic that with the strategy of accelerating absorption and harvest momentum, the target of 4 million tons of rice can be achieved by the end of July 2026 according to the projections that have been prepared.
"The target is 4 million tons (equivalent to rice), we are now in April we have reached 1.9 million tons or almost 48 percent. This means that there are only 50 percent left. Hopefully this can be achieved like last year," said Rizal.
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