Jokowi: The Government Doesn't Really Like Rice Imports

President Joko WIdodo (Photo: Screenshot)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo admitted that the government actually does not want to import rice from abroad. He still wants people to be self-sufficient in rice.

He said this during a working visit to see the harvest in Wanasari Village, Bangodua District, Indramayu Regency, West Java.

"The government actually does not like and dislikes rice imports", Jokowi said in a YouTube broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat, Wednesday, April 21.

However, several calculations force the government to import rice. For example, the location of fields that were affected by flooding, and decreased production capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Sometimes the calculations are lacking. So, additional reserves are needed", said Jokowi.

However, Jokowi has decided that until next June there will be no rice imports. "God willing, until the end of the year if we hold it, the production will be good, it means we will not import", he continued.

It is known, previously Jokowi emphasized that the interim government was not importing rice. Jokowi admitted that the government had signed an agreement or MoU with Thailand and Vietnam. However, this does not mean that the government directly imports rice.

"Indeed, there is an MoU with Thailand and Vietnam, just in case, given the pandemic situation which is full of uncertainty. I emphasize once again that the rice has not yet entered," Jokowi said some time ago.

Jokowi then ordered Bulog (Logistics Agency) as the food authority to absorb rice from local farmers. "I make sure that the farmers' rice will be absorbed by Bulog and I will immediately order the Minister of Finance to help with the budget", he concluded.