"We report to Mr President that from February to March 2023, harvest processes have begun in all areas," the minister noted at the Presidential Palace here Friday.
The minister cited data from Statistics Indonesia wherein the harvest season had begun in several areas in February and March.
Limpo remarked that in February, some one million hectares of crops were to be harvested, while in March, 1.9 million hectares would be harvested.
During the period from March to April 2023, some regions will record peak of the harvest period. The minister said that the average volume of harvested rice during that time would reach at least 5.9 million tons.
"On average, 5.9 (million tons) from the existing data, yes, one which we use as reference all along," he noted.
The volume of rice production at the peak of the harvest period was as forecast by the government in its analysis and was expected to meet the demands or needs of people, he remarked.
"Mr President asked, 'when is the peak harvest season?' Well, it is around the beginning of the first week, second week of March. It is already peak harvest time," he elaborated.
Meanwhile, President Jokowi had recently reminded cabinet ministers regarding the increase in rice prices and laid emphasis on the need to keep it in check, as it continued to increase at the start of 2023.
Minister Limpo pointed out that matters pertaining to rice prices were up to the traders' discretion. However, it should not be too high or too low, so as to ensure fairness for both the farmers and the consumers, he added.Related news: Rice prices high as harvest season yet to start: NFA
Related news: Agriculture minister ensures rice stocks to suffice until Eid
Translator: Indra A P, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
