Jokowi Asks Bulog Perum To Absorb As Many Farmers As Possible

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked Perum Bulog to absorb as much grain as possible from farmers following the main harvest season which began in several rice-producing areas.

The President conveyed this when inaugurating the rice milling center owned by Perum Bulog in Sragen Regency, Central Java, Saturday, March 11, after the morning the Head of State visited the main harvest in Ngawi Regency, East Java, and in Kebumen two days ago.

"Therefore, this morning I asked Bulog, Mr. President Director, to absorb as much grain as possible from farmers," Jokowi said in a written statement, quoted from Antara.

Along with the order conveyed directly to the President Director of Perum Bulog Budi Waseso, the President also emphasized the importance of implementing the ideal harvest dry grain (GKP) price in the absorption of farmers' grain.

The President said that the GKP price would later be submitted and determined by the Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi.

According to the President, this needs to be considered because the government wants a balance of prices among farmers, sellers, and the public, even though it is not an easy matter.

"We want prices in farmers to be reasonable, then prices in traders are reasonable, all of them can be profitable and consumer prices or prices in the community are also in a reasonable position, maintaining this balance is not easy," said Jokowi.

In order to help create a balance of prices, the President emphasized the importance of Bulog's role in maintaining a national rice reserve stock of 2.4 million tons.

"This year I have ordered Bulog to be ready with a figure of 2.4 million tons, so that it will bring better price stability," he said.

In addition to modern rice milling plants in Sragen, Bulog has operated similar facilities in six other areas, namely Subang, Kendal, Karawang, Lampung, Bojonegoro, and Magetan.