"Everything shows that it is okay. That means our rice (stock) is sufficient until the coming Eid. Currently, harvest happens in some centers," the minister stated during his visit to the PT Food Station Tjipinang Jaya rice storehouse here on Tuesday.
Limpo affirmed that the stock was deemed sufficient after it was thoroughly calculated using Statistics Indonesia's master sampling frame, standing crop data, reports from regions, and through direct observation.
Main Director of the Food Station Tjipinang Jaya Pamrihadi Wiraryo noted that there was still plenty of rice supply for Jakarta. Moreover, they just received as much as 494 tons of rice from South Sumatra. The figure could increase, as more and more harvest was taking place in some centers, he stated.
"Currently, there are some 595 tons or 21 trucks coming in. However, God willing, next there will be (additional supply), more or less 50 trucks or equivalent to one thousand tons," he stated.
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Wiraryo highlighted the high level of optimism about the current rice stocks while adding that the harvest period was currently ongoing in South Sumatra that would last until April.
"South Sumatra is an area that is currently on a really grand harvest. We expect them to be able to meet our needs of rice reserve," he remarked.
He also noted that the current rice prices had shown a steady decline. He cited the IR 643 rice for example, whose price decreased, from Rp10,375 in the past two weeks to Rp10,175 as of Tuesday. He also ensured that the price of medium-quality rice could bounce back to its normal rate at Rp9,450.
"We want (for the price) to go down by Rp25 every day. Hence, we appreciate officials of the Agriculture Ministry for this year's rice distribution. Once more, I am very confident that our rice stock is enough," he concluded.
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Translator: Kuntum Khaira R, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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