"The initiative has proven effective in maintaining stable rice prices," Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian said in a statement on Saturday.
By the end of August, subsidized SPHP rice — part of the government's Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program — had been distributed to 4,662 of 7,285 sub-districts, reaching more than 3.4 million people.
As a result, 33 of the 233 districts that previously reported price hikes now say prices have normalized, while 55 districts have even reported price drops, the minister said.
The government has allocated 1.3 million tons from its rice reserve for the SPHP program from July to December.
The subsidized rice is sold for Rp12,000 (around US$0.73) per kilogram or Rp60,000 per 5 kilograms, well below the average market price. In some areas, prices have dropped further to Rp11,000 per kilogram thanks to subsidies from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).
The program has been supported by the Armed Forces (TNI), National Police (Polri), local governments, and regionally owned enterprises (BUMD), helping ensure distribution reaches remote villages, islands, and mountainous areas.
"With collaboration across sectors, the GPM program not only safeguards purchasing power but also helps control national inflation," Karnavian emphasized.
He added that the program's success shows how joint efforts can deliver concrete solutions to rising food prices while ensuring access to affordable rice.
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Translator: Fianda Sjofjan Rassat, Katriana
Editor: Anton Santoso
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