Speaking at a cabinet meeting chaired by President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta on Monday, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said food stocks and distribution were safe following natural disasters in three provinces on Sumatra.
"We have prepared reserves three times higher than the needs, with 120,000 tons on the ground. So there is no problem with food, Mr. President," Sulaiman said, according to a Ministry of Agriculture statement issued on Tuesday.
The ministry has also distributed cooking oil and food aid from partner organizations, with total assistance from the government and its partners valued at more than Rp1 trillion (around US$60 million).
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Two additional batches of logistical aid were scheduled to be sent to disaster-affected areas on Tuesday.
"Previously, two aid ships had already departed, and one more ship will depart on Tuesday," Sulaiman said.
He reported that floods and landslides have affected 70 thousand hectares of rice fields in Sumatra, adding that recovery efforts would begin in January.
At the same meeting, Sulaiman said the Farmers' Terms of Trade (NTP) index rose to 124.36, exceeding the 110 target set by the finance minister.
"This is the highest figure in history," he said, adding that rice farmers' income reached Rp120 trillion, or around US$7.2 billion.
Sulaiman also said national rice production increased by 4.17 million tons this year, while rice stocks reached a record 3.7 million tons.
"On January 1, we can announce that Indonesia has achieved food self-sufficiency," he said.
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Translator: Anton Santoso
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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