JAKARTA - The government has tightened its monitoring of food prices amid the potential impact of El Nino and global supply disruptions. Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized that this step was taken to maintain price stability, especially strategic commodities such as soybeans.
"Later we will gather the importers. Don't raise the price too high," said Minister Amran before attending a limited meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday, April 7.
He also appealed to soybean importers to prioritize empathy for the community by also maintaining food price stability. To ensure that this step is effective, Amran added, the Ministry of Agriculture will carry out intensive monitoring and coordination with local governments.
Minister Amran emphasized that the government was not only focusing on price supervision, but also ensuring that the availability of staple food was maintained, especially rice.
"The position is very safe. Not just safe, but very safe. Furthermore, we focus on steps to deal with El Nino," said Amran.
Meanwhile, the current condition of national food stocks is at a very strong level and will be reported to the President in a limited meeting.
"Alhamdulillah, our rice stock reached 4.6 million tons today. In April, God willing, it can reach 5 million tons. This is the highest in history. Previously, in April it was only around 1.5 to a maximum of 2 million tons. This means that it has almost tripled and we should be grateful," he explained.
The government has also anticipated the potential for extreme weather which is expected to last up to six months. "Our stock will be around 5 million tons. Then in the horeka sector (hotels, restaurants, and catering) there are around 12.5 million tons."
"In addition, standing crops or crops that are ready to be harvested currently reach around 11 million tons. In total, it is around 28 million tons. This amount is enough to meet the needs for the next 10 to 11 months," he said.
With the projection of needs during the dry season, the government is optimistic that national food security will remain maintained.
"In the dry season for about six months, based on experience during El Nino, the need is around 2 million tons per month or a total of 12 million tons. This means that until around May next we are still in a fairly safe condition. Moreover, the peak harvest occurs in March and the dry period is only six months, so the condition remains safe," he said.
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