Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government has expanded the market operation network for medium rice to better guarantee supply and to bring down the price of the strategic commodity which has risen lately.

Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said in expanding the market operation the state Board of Logistic (Bulog) releases the government rice stock in ares where the price had increased the highest.

"With the market operation, the price is expected to be in control in one or two days. We are ready with supply as much as needed," the minister said here on Tuesday.

Bulog said market operation is already underway since November, 2017, but the price of rice remained high as supply was not sufficient to bring down the price.

Enggartiasto said traders in certain market centers are required to sell rice at a price set by the government.

"We guarantee supply is sufficient. We send directly to the market center guarded by the Food Task Force," he said.

Bulog said expansion of market operation began in January, 2018 to cover wider areas .

The government has said the country has been self sufficient in rice supply and imports are no longer needed.

(T.SYS/C/H-ASG/A014)

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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