“This is a form of government intervention to ensure farmers are not overly affected by the disaster and that their harvests are well absorbed by the market,” Sulaiman said on Thursday.
The minister received the shipment of tens of tons of chilies at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta, on Wednesday (December 17).
He purchased the 40 tons of chilies from farmers in several production centers in Central Aceh and Bener Meriah districts.
Of the total, 15 tons were delivered directly to Jakarta using an Indonesian Air Force Hercules aircraft, transported from Rembele Airport to Halim Perdanakusuma Airport. The remaining shipment was sent to Medan, North Sumatra.
“I have one message: do not harm our farmers. If necessary, raise prices for the sake of their profit. They should not incur losses,” he emphasized.
Sulaiman said the move followed President Prabowo Subianto’s directive that every Hercules aircraft and helicopter transporting logistical aid to Rembele Airport should not return empty, but instead be used to carry farmers’ harvests.
“These aircraft fly to Aceh carrying government and community aid, and previously returned empty,” he said.
For chili distribution in Jakarta, the Ministry of Agriculture is coordinating with traders at the Kramat Jati Market.
The minister emphasized that the policy is intended to create a balanced and integrated food supply chain, from producers to end consumers.
Through the measure, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining price stability at the farm level, ensuring harvest absorption, and strengthening the state’s role in protecting farmers, particularly during emergency and post-disaster periods.
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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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