Government Rice Reserve Reaches 220 Rbu Tons, BPN: There Will Be Additional

JAKARTA - Head of the National Food Agency (NFA) Arief Prasetyo Adi said the stock of foodstuffs in Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr will be maintained. He detailed that currently the government's rice reserves (CBP) in Bulog reach 220 thousand tons, and there will be additional additions from the Rice Milling Association (Perpadi).

"Bulog is around 220 thousand tons while we are helping to absorb it, yesterday Perpadi will add 60 thousand tons to Bulog, that's pretty good, so it's almost 300 thousand tons," Arief told the media, Saturday, March 25.

He further added that currently the government is focusing on absorbing domestic production during the harvest season. He is optimistic that the rice stock will meet the needs of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 1444 H.

Arief added, although in general the staple food commodity is in sufficient condition, Arief admits that there are several other food commodities whose fulfillment still comes from outside (imports) such as buffalo meat, soybeans, and garlic. This commodity still depends on imports because domestic production is not sufficient for national needs.

The same thing was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto who said that currently the government has taken preparatory steps, one of which is to reduce the prices of basic commodities.

"I think everything is relatively safe. Of course, the stock that depends on imports is related to what Mr. Arief (Head of the National Food Agency) (such as) meat, the following are soybeans, of course we ask for immediate procurement," said the Coordinating Minister for the Economy.

The Minister of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan said that currently the preparatory steps ahead of Eid have been running for almost 90 percent.

"The preparation of Eid is almost 90 percent on the track, hopefully there will be no problems. The availability of food is sufficient to this day, prices are still under control," said the Trade Minister.

Furthermore, the Trade Minister said that President Jokowi had instructed Bulog to be able to absorb the harvest rice optimally.