“Rice stocks that have currently been secured by Bulog are 1.4 million tons,” Bulog President Director Bayu Krisnamurthi noted in a written statement from Bulog here on Friday.
On Friday, Krisnamurthi accompanied President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in checking rice stocks at a Bulog warehouse in Cibitung Sub-district, Bekasi, West Java.
He stated that the rice stocks secured by Bulog are able to meet the national needs until June and to provide Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) rice.
Krisnamurthi emphasized that Bulog has made all-out efforts to prepare the CBP to carry out government programs, such as rice aid, so as to create strong food security in Indonesia.
In addition to checking rice stocks, President Jokowi handed over rice assistance to beneficiary families in West Cikarang Sub-district, Bekasi.
The president remarked that fulfilling food needs is currently a priority for the government.
He underscored that the government is striving to extend the distribution of rice assistance until June 2024, but it will be adjusted to the country’s financial condition.
“Food crises are occurring globally, thereby causing food prices to increase. However, in our country, we help people with the rice assistance of 10 kilograms per month,” Jokowi stated.
On the same occasion, Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), Aries Prasetyo Adi, stated that the rice assistance distribution had been resumed on Thursday (February 15) after it was suspended on February 8-14 due to the 2024 General Elections.
“I reiterate that this program has no connection to any interests. Therefore, it can be guaranteed that the aim is to help fulfill the needs of people who are in need,” Adi highlighted.
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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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