The first step is controlling food supply and availability, including food prices, according to I Gusti Ketut Astawa, Deputy for Food Availability and Stabilization at Bapanas.
Bapanas has established reference prices at the farm level, for breeders, and for consumers.
"These will serve as guidelines for government intervention when necessary," Astawa said during the "National Movement for Food Inflation Control (GNPIP) in Kalimantan" event, followed from Jakarta on Monday.
The second step is mobilizing food stocks, which can be achieved if provincial governments maintain a regional food balance. In this regard, the agency encourages regional heads to establish food reserves.
"Therefore, food reserves must be prepared, and Bapanas will assist the provincial government in this endeavor," Astawa added.
The third step is ensuring food security through the Affordable Food Movement program, which is implemented during fluctuations in food prices, particularly before religious or other holidays.
Bapanas has allocated funds to provincial and district/city governments for implementing the program in 34 provinces and 256 districts/cities.
"The head of Bapanas has made efforts to facilitate future distribution. The affordable food program will also be conducted to all districts/cities. This will help us intervene and control price fluctuations," Astawa explained.
The final step is strengthening infrastructure to stabilize food production from upstream to downstream, a crucial aspect, according to Astawa.
"If provincial governments have food production facilities that require container repairs and cold storage, please keep us updated so that we can provide assistance. For example, here in Kalimantan, we have a surplus food reserve, so we need technology to extend the shelf life of food," he stated.
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Translator: M Baqir Idrus A, Resinta S
Editor: Anton Santoso
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