The Government Is Considered Right To Disburse Rice Reserves For The Community

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Economic observer from the Islamic University of North Sumatra (UISU) Gunawan Benjamin said it was right for the government to pour rice reserves for the community.

"So the short-term policy by pouring out government reserves of rice is correct," said Benjamin, in Medan, quoted from Antara, Saturday, September 30.

According to him, the government's move cannot be separated from the rice exporting country to limit it, in the end global rice prices have increased.

"Currently inflation is triggered by rising production costs, increasing global food prices, and deteriorating in terms of supply either due to decreased productivity or triggered by weather disturbances," he also said.

Therefore, according to Gunawan, in the future the government must increase the area of plant areas to increase food supply, especially in the North Sumatra region.

"Because overall what needs to be controlled is the availability of food ingredients that are able to produce agriculture in North Sumatra. Due to the recent inflation problem due to supply or supply disruptions," he also said.

On the other hand, the Department of Industry, Trade, Energy and Mineral Resources (Disperindag ESDM) of North Sumatra Province poured 2.5 tons of rice in cheap market activities as an effort to control commodity prices which tend to last expensively.

"So, the food prices for the past few days are still relatively high. Especially the price of rice, so we have also summoned several suppliers, distributors to cooperate in the cheap market," said Head of the North Sumatra Industry and Trade Agency Mulyadi Simatupang.

Mulyadi explained that in a few weeks the price of rice, especially the price of medium rice in a number of markets in Medan City, has increased above the highest reference price (HET).

"When yesterday we conducted inspections in several markets, we found that the price of medium rice was sold at the most expensive Rp. 15,000/kg, even though the price set was only Rp. 11.50/kg. So this cheap market is one of the efforts to control the price of rice," said Mulyadi.