Jokowi Forms National Food Agency, Bulog Boss Budi Waseso Ready To Accept Assignment

Bulog President Director Budi Waseso together with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). (Photo: Doc. Bulog)

JAKARTA - The President Director of the Logistics Business Entity (Bulog) Budi Waseso admitted that he was ready to receive an assignment from the National Food Agency (BPN) to strengthen domestic food security. A number of internal steps have also been prepared by the company to make the BPN work program a success in the future.

"As implementing food policy, Perum Bulog is ready to accept an assignment from BPN," he said during a hearing with Commission IV of the DPR, Monday, August 30.

The formation of the BPN by the government is based on Law Number 18 of 2012 concerning Food, Presidential Regulation Number 48 of 2016 concerning the Assignment of Perum Bulog, and Presidential Regulation Number 66 of 2021 concerning BPN.

For your information, BPN which is directly under the president has the authority to make food regulations and policies. Especially for nine food commodities, namely rice, corn, soybeans, consumption sugar, onions, poultry eggs, ruminant meat, poultry meat and chilies.

Meanwhile, this agency is also given the authority to give assignments to Bulog as the implementer of policies. As stated in Article 3c and Article 29 concerning the procurement, distribution and storage of government food reserves.

Buwas said that the Bulog assignment strategy from BPN would be directed at managing the government's food reserves, the availability of supply stabilization, and food prices. Second, diversification of consumption and food safety.

Lastly, said Buwas, the assignment for the development of an integrated food system that is integrated upstream-downstream, as a monitoring tool and the basis for policy decisions on food processing.

For this reason, Buwas continued, his party has prepared several things to carry out BPN assignments in the future. Among them, the study of nine staple foods based on the study of 12 commodities, as well as improving the competence of the company's employees through training and courses.

Buwas said that in carrying out BPN's duties, his party will also synergize with SOEs in the food sector, collaborate with domestic market players for certain staple foods, and cooperate with international market players.

"(Currently), all levels are always committed to maintaining food security with the various challenges that are currently being faced," he said.