JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized that there is no compromise on fraudulent practices that harm farmers, because the government is fully committed to protecting the interests of farmers in order to maintain national food sovereignty.
"We must not compromise on fraudulent practices that harm farmers," said the Minister of Agriculture while attending the 69th Anniversary of Hasanuddin University (Unhas) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, as stated in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Saturday, September 14.
The Minister of Agriculture also emphasized the government's commitment to present a fair economy, including taking firm action against the food mafia.
"One word, firm action, must not compromise against those who harm farmers," he said.
Previously, the investigation into commercial rice fraud cases was carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Food Agency (Bapanas), the Food Task Force, the Prosecutor's Office, to the Police, after an anomaly of rice, even though rice production is currently high nationally, even the highest in the last 57 years with stock to date reaching 4.2 million tons.
Based on the findings in premium rice with a sample of 136, it was found that 85.56 percent did not comply with the provisions; 59.78 percent did not match the highest retail price (HET); and 21.66 percent did not complete the packaging weight.
Then, findings in medium rice with a sample of 76 brands were found to be 88.24 percent incompatible with the quality of rice; 95.12 percent did not match HET; and 9.38 percent did not pay after the packaging weight.
Sampling was carried out at that time on June 6-23, 2025. Collected 268 rice samples from various points in 10 provinces, namely the Cipinang Rice Main Market (PIBC), markets and places for rice sellers in Jabodetabek; then markets and rice sellers in South Sulawesi.
Furthermore, in markets and rice sellers in Lampung, Aceh, South Kalimantan, North Sumatra; Central Java, East Java, Yogyakarta; to markets and rice sellers in West Java.
BACA JUGA:
In ensuring accuracy in checking rice in the field, the Ministry of Agriculture uses 13 laboratories in the 10 provinces.
In the case of the commercial rice fraud case, the National Police's Food Task Force summoned 212 rogue rice brand manufacturers.
The Ministry of Agriculture said that the alleged practice of rice trading fraud caused consumer losses of up to Rp99.35 trillion due to quality and price manipulation at the distribution level.
Not only cheating on rice, the Ministry of Agriculture previously revealed findings of alleged counterfeit fertilizer circulation causing potential loss to farmers reaching Rp3.2 trillion nationally. The alleged fraud, said the Minister of Agriculture, has been handled by the police at the National Police Headquarters.
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