Jokowi: If The Price Of Rice Drops, I Will Be Scolded By Farmers, If They Rise, They Will Be Scolded By Mothers

President Jokowi At The North Sumatra Tanjungbalai Wire Market/PHOTO Kris & Vico - Press Bureau Of The Presidential Secretariat via Instagram @jokowi

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said the government is facing a dilemma in maintaining the balance of rice prices, because farmers demand high prices to increase their profits, while consumers need affordable prices.

This explanation was conveyed by Jokoowi when distributing government rice reserves food assistance to beneficiary families (KPM) at the Bulog Bakaran Batu Warehouse Complex, Labuhanbatu Regency, North Sumatra, Friday, March 15.

"We are difficult, if the price of rice goes down, I will be scolded by farmers, but if the rice goes up, I will be scolded by mothers," Jokowi said in a written statement from the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat as reported by ANTARA.

President Jokowi also revealed that the government's business in managing food for 270 million Indonesians is not an easy thing.

According to the challenges of rice production to meet the annual needs of 31 million tons, including climate conditions.

"But if there are a lot of farmers' production from farmers, we are calm. But it's so rich yesterday, the dry season is long, this will definitely turn back or wet too, the rain is too heavy, some are flooded," said the President.

In addition, President Jokowi also mentioned that Indonesia's geographical diversity, which is spread across 17 thousand islands, also creates complexity in the distribution and handling of food throughout the country.

"This is a very large, very large Indonesian country. If other countries have a population of 10 million (the soul), 20 million (the soul) is easier, we are 270 million (the soul) spread across 17 thousand islands from Sabang to Merauke, from Miangas to Rote Island. This is Indonesia," he said. The President confirmed that the rice aid that has been provided by the government since January will continue until next June.

However, said Jokowi, the sustainability of the assistance will depend on the availability of the state budget.

"Later, if the APBN allows it after June, it will be continued but I will not promise, the promise will only be until June. I'll see again the APBN is about enough, it will be continued," said President Jokowi.