Warehouse At Cipinang Main Market Burns, Head Of Badanas: Rice Traders And Bulog Are Safe

Head of the National Food Agency Arief Prasetyo Adi while inspecting the location of the Cipinang Main Market fire, East Jakarta. (Photo: Doc. Badanas)

Head of the National Food Agency (NFA) Arief Prasetyo Adi ensures that Bulog rice and other traders are safe.

This means that they did not catch fire in the fire incident at the Cipinang Rice Main Market (PIBC), Jakarta.

This was conveyed by Arief after reviewing the location of the fire at the Cipinang Rice Main Market (PIBC), Jakarta.

He was also accompanied by the President Director of BUMN Food Holding ID FOOD Frans Marganda Tambunan and the President Director of BUMD Food Station Pamrihadi Wiraryo.

As is known, one of the warehouses in PIBC was engulfed by the red rooster. Information gathered that there were no casualties and no rice stocks burned.

"We have checked, the rice of traders and 5,000 tons of Bulog rice managed by the Food Station are safe, because the packaging warehouse burned," he said in an official statement, Wednesday, March 22.

Arief said that people do not need to worry, the condition of rice at PIBC is ensured to be safe and does not interfere with the distribution of rice for DKI Jakarta and its surroundings.

"Trade activities and rice distribution ahead of Ramadan and Thursday tomorrow are also confirmed to continue to run normally and not experience disturbances," he said.

Furthermore, Arief said, the security of warehousing facilities at PIBC can continue to be improved and monitored regularly. Given, PIBC is a very important market because it supplies 60 percent of Jakarta's rice needs.

"PIBC is a very important rice distribution center because it is the main supplier of rice for the DKI Jakarta area and its surroundings. As we know, Jakarta is a national barometer, if the rice supply in Jakarta is disrupted, the national supply will be hampered," he said.

In addition, Arief added, PIBC is also a center for the implementation of the rice Supply Stabilization and Food Price (SPHP) program.

Through this program, Bulog poured the Government Rice Reserve (CBP) stock into trading partners in PIBC with the aim of controlling rice prices at the consumer level.

Arief said he was relieved when he learned that there were no casualties and no rice caught fire. This means that no rice is wasted, considering that currently the rice stock in PIBC is still trying to be increased.

The availability of rice stocks in both farmers, mills, Bulog, and traders must be maintained and utilized properly. This is in line with the President's direction which conveys to maintain the supply and price of rice ahead of fasting and Eid al-Fitr in 2023. In addition, the price of rice must be calculated and maintained in balance because it determines inflation control," he explained.

Meanwhile, based on Food Station data, the average rice stock in PIBC is currently at around 19,000 to 20,000 tons. This number will continue to be increased in the near future as the main harvest volume increases, it is expected to reach 30,000 tons.