"In the near future, the president director of State Logistics Agency (Bulog), I, and a number of related ministers will definitely conduct or request a limited meeting from the President to bring it (rice assistance distribution) forward," he said after reviewing rice prices at Klender Market here on Monday.
The total amount of rice needed to provide rice assistance to 21.353 million beneficiary families is 640 thousand tons, and Bulog already has sufficient stock, if the assistance distribution is brought forward, Adi explained.
"If our reserves are 1.6 million tons, it means we still have 1.2 million tons," he said.
The Bapanas head explained that the plan to bring the rice assistance distribution forward has been prompted by rice prices, which have increased lately.
Considering that rice production in the second half of this year is predicted to be lower compared to the first six months or first half as well as the El Nino phenomenon, the distribution of the government's reserve rice has been deemed necessary to maintain price stability.
"In the second semester, it (rice production) will definitely decline. Then, there are several issues such as El Nino and others. The impact will be (felt in) the next three months, except in areas with technical irrigation or areas that have water reservoirs," he explained.
Earlier, the rice assistance was scheduled to be distributed in October, November, and December, based on a decision reached at a limited meeting on increasing the production and downstreaming of food products on July 10, 2023.
The rice assistance is a continuation of the previous provision of 640 thousand tons of rice to 21.353 million beneficiary families, which was completed in three phases in March, April, and June.
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Translator: Kuntum Khaira, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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