Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi ensured that all lines of the food supply chain are well maintained and balanced ahead of the Ramadan Month and Eid al-Fitr 1445 Hijri.

"The government's focus is to maintain balance in all lines of the food supply chain, especially at the producer level," he noted in a statement released by his agency here on Friday.

Adi had earlier accompanied President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to check the Government Rice Reserves (CBP) at the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) warehouse in Cibitung, Bekasi District, West Java.

He remarked that despite the farmers' terms of trade, especially of rice and corn farmers, being in a good condition, Bapanas continues to balance the supply chain from the upstream to downstream.

"I have urged the president director of Bulog to balance prices at the farmer level, as they must be maintained. Mr. President also gave a direction in this. Although importation is carried out, it is carried out measurably," he explained.

According to Adi, some 3.5-5 million tons of rice can be produced during the harvest season, estimated in March and April.

Adi explained that although the importation of food is carried out, the interests of farmers must be prioritized to ensure adequate and stable food supplies across Indonesia.

"We have prepared in advance for food availability and supply for all Indonesians. The rice supply in Bulog is currently at 1.4 million tons," he stated.

In addition to checking the rice supply, President Jokowi also handed over rice assistance to beneficiary families (KPM) in West Cikarang, Bekasi.

The government has resumed food aid distribution in facing the Ramadan month.

Related news: Food stocks sufficient ahead of Ramadan: Bapanas
Related news: Indonesia has surplus food ahead of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr: Ministry

Translator: M Harianto, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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