"After yesterday's election day, starting from today, we have continued the rice food assistance (distribution)," he noted in a Bapanas statement here on Thursday.
He made the statement after accompanying President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) who was checking rice stocks at the Cipinang Central Rice Market (PIBC) in Jakarta.
Adi highlighted that the rice assistance of 10 kilograms targeting 22 million beneficiary families is part of the government's intervention to maintain stability in food prices, especially of rice.
"This is highly needed by our people and can reduce demand for rice in markets. There is also the GPM (Cheap Food Movement) in various regions," he remarked.
He noted that as of February 7, some 185 thousand tons of rice had been distributed under the rice assistance program.
"The distribution target for the first two months of 2024 is 440 thousand tons," he remarked.
Meanwhile, for the GPM program, he said that it has been held 429 times in 85 districts and cities throughout January 2024.
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In February, the GPM program is targeted to be implemented 234 times in 65 districts and cities and can continue to increase through collaboration between Bapanas and the regional governments.
The Bapanas head explained that from January to early February, rice production and consumption had not been in balance. Thus, if rice prices in the markets are high, then it is caused by the prices of unhusked rice still being high.
Nevertheless, he ensured that rice stocks in the country were still safe.
"Regarding the availability of stocks, we ensure that they are sufficient. Of course, the government's task is to create a balance between upstream and downstream. Later, when our production is at 3.5 million tons or above in March, rice prices can be better," he explained.
He further acknowledged that it had been challenging to bring rice prices to those recorded two years ago, as the costs, including of fertilizers and land rent, had increased.
Related news: Food aid temporarily suspended to respect election stages: Bapanas
Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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