"These everlasting rice fields are owned by the provincial government, and they will not be converted to other uses," remarked Suharini Eliawati, the agency's head, here on Tuesday.
To increase rice supply, Eliawati affirmed that the provincial government is developing everlasting rice fields in Ujung Menteng, with an area spanning three hectares, and a similar one with 5.2 hectares in Cakung, East Jakarta.
The function of these everlasting rice fields is to prepare rice seeds that will be handed over to local farmers.
It is a form of agricultural assistance from the Jakarta provincial government to local farmers.
The administration collaborates with several regional-owned enterprises in the food sector, such as Food Station, and other regions to meet food stocks in Jakarta.
"We are supplying rice in cooperation with other regions, for example, we purchase them from Sumedang (West Java)," Eliawati noted.
She highlighted that the provincial government also holds the cheap essential food market regularly to meet rice demand in the community.
"It is held because there is a corporate social responsibility program from Bank DKI, so residents can pay Rp100 thousand for (one staple food) package, while the price can reach Rp155 thousand in ordinary markets," she explained.
The provincial government also implements the affordable market program in 44 sub-districts throughout the year to control the inflation of food prices.
Meanwhile, Eliawati noted that Jakarta needs at least three thousand tons of rice per day for public consumption.
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Translator: Luthfia P, Kenzu
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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