Bulog Must Be Ready To Absorb Farmers' Grain During A Grand Panen Period March-April 2023

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo hopes that Perum Bulog can maximize the absorption of grain from farmers in the main harvest which usually occurs in the March-April period every year because the price of grain is high.

"I am grateful that the welfare of farmers continues to be positive, especially the price of grain that is good and has an impact on welfare. Therefore, I ask that this momentum be maintained until the main harvest arrives. Don't damage the happiness of farmers by accepting inappropriate prices," said Minister of Agriculture Syahrul in a written statement quoted by Antara, Tuesday, January 3.

The Minister of Agriculture is grateful for the condition of the price of unhulled rice at the farmer level which is getting better, thus having an impact on improving the welfare of farmers.

He also asked Perum Bulog to absorb farmers' grain optimally at the time of the harvest season. The hope is that farmers' income can be maintained together, even when production is abundant during the harvest season.

Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the price of Panen Dry Grain (GKP) at the farmer level in December 2022 increased by 4.20 percent compared to the previous month (month to month/mtm) or an increase of 17.83 percent year on year (yoy).

Meanwhile, the price of retail rice in December increased by 2.30 percent (mtm) and 6.23 percent (yoy). During December, the price of grain at the farmer level reached IDR 5,624.00 per kg and at the milling level it was IDR 5,748.00 per kg.

Meanwhile, the price of dry milling (GKG) at the farmer level rose 6.59 percent on a monthly basis and rose 21.75 percent on an annual basis.

Selama Desember 2022 rata-rata harga GKP di tingkat petani Rp5.624 per kg atau naik 17,83 persen, dan di tingkat annealing Rp5.748,00 per kg atau naik 17,87 persen dibandingkan harga gabah kualitas yang sama pada Desember 2021.

The average price of GKG at the farmer level is IDR 6,166.00 per kg, an increase of 21.75 percent and at the milling level IDR 6,278.00 per kg, an increase of 21.41 percent. The price of foreign quality grain at the farmer level is IDR 5,035 per kg, an increase of 17.01 percent and at the milling level IDR 5,134 per kg, an increase of 16.94 percent.

Compared to last month, the average price of unhulled rice in December 2022 at the farmer level for the quality of GKP, GKG and non-quality unhulled grain rose by 4.20 percent, respectively; 6.59 percent; and 0.26 percent.