Rice Prices Rise, Puan Asks The Government To Move Quickly To Intervention

Puan Maharani (DOK BPMI)

JAKARTA - DPR Speaker Puan Maharani encouraged the government to immediately stabilize the price of rice which continues to increase until November 2023. The rise in rice prices will have an impact on the underprivileged. "The government must immediately take action to stabilize rice prices. If left unchecked, this will affect the condition of economic recovery that is being built by the community," said Puan in an electronic message in Jakarta, Monday, November 13. The increase in rice prices in early November 2023 continues to show the highest number. Like at the Cipinang Rice Main Market (PIBC), East Jakarta, rice prices are still above the Highest Retail Price (HET). The increase in rice prices reached 10 percent and made sales decrease by 50 percent. Meanwhile, at the Maksibon Market, Tegal, Central Java, the price of rice in the market reached Rp. 14,000 to Rp. 15 thousand. The increase in rice prices has also triggered the increase in the price of other foodstuffs in the market. Puan also reminded the government to immediately reduce rice prices in the market. If left continuously, he assessed that there would be an impact on the prices of other staples. "If it is not stabilized immediately, other commodity prices will also increase and burden our society more," he said. The increase in rice prices in recent months was mainly due to the increase in grain prices at the farmer level due to the El Nino phenomenon which made the dry season prolonged. In addition, it is also due to the decline in agricultural production. Then the production costs that have increased in recent years have also affected the increase in rice prices. Puan emphasized that there needs to be intervention to overcome the skyrocketing price of rice which has not yet subsided. “Make sure the assistance for the community is improved. Then increase more market operations to meet rice demand in the market. The government can also take advantage of the rice surplus from the main harvest to meet stock availability so that rice prices are not getting higher, ” explained Puan. “ Market operations must also be carried out carefully and with strict supervision so that the results are more significant. This program must also be on target targeting people who really need it, continued the first woman to serve as Chair of the DPR RI. Furthermore, Puan asked the government to boost domestic rice farming production. Of course, working with the private sector. Because based on a report from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), rice production tends to stagnate and even decrease since 2018, namely 33.9 million tons to 31.5 million tons in 2022. "How the government makes assistance programs for farmers, thus increasing their grain production which will have a direct impact on rice prices," said Puan. He added that support for farmers to increase rice production by providing incentives, such as fertilizer subsidies, high quality seeds, and technical assistance, is a concrete step to maintain food sovereignty. Puan also said that there must be collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant agencies, including universities. "Conducting research and development to increase productivity and efficiency in the rice farming sector," said Bung Karno's grandson. Not only that, Puan also reminded the importance of preventive measures as a first step in the impact of rising food prices in Indonesia. He said the Government needs to maintain national rice stocks in a sustainable manner to deal with price increases.

"Optimizing the distribution of rice stocks to areas in need, especially in areas that are vulnerable to price fluctuations," explained Puan.