Farmers' Harvest Absorption Rises, Bulog: 2 Million Tons Of Rice Import Plans Continue

Rice (Photo: dock. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Public Company of the Logistics Affairs Agency (Perum Bulog) revealed that the absorption of farmers' yield production increased to 8,000 tons per day. Even so, the plan to import rice as much as 2 million tons is still running.

Bulog's Supply Chain Director, Suyanto, said that the absorption of farmers' yields increased from 5,000 tons per day to 8,000 tons per day. In fact, he said, the total absorption by Bulog had reached 98,000 tons.

"It has increased. We continue to absorb this. Especially from West Java, East Java, DKI and NTB," he said at Rawamangun Market, East Jakarta, Monday, April 3.

Although the absorption of farmers' crops increased, Suyamto said the plan to procure 2 million tons of rice from outside the country was still being carried out.

"Importation is for national rice reserves. We are targeting it so that it can come according to schedule. Currently procurement," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of the National Food Agency Arief Prasetyo Adi said the import permit had been issued. However, he stressed, the government still prioritizes domestic absorption.

"Imports of rice already have a permit. But it will be arranged as much as possible. Because in fact today we are still harvesting in several places. Once again I want to say that number one is domestic production," said Arief.

According to Arief, the decision to import is not easy. However, this policy must be carried out to meet national needs, considering that the government's rice reserves are running low.

"It is very difficult for the government to decide when it comes to imports. But if it has to be done for the sake of 200 million Indonesians, we do. We all realize that we are currently harvesting, so we must be very careful to take care of the hearts of farmers in Indonesia," he said.