File – A farmer harvests rice in Gampong Cot Village, West Aceh, Aceh, on February 6, 2024. Bapanas takes five measures to stabilize rice supply and prices. (ANTARA FOTO/Syifa Yulinnas/foc)

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), Arief Prasetyo Adi, stated on Sunday that his agency is implementing five measures to ensure rice availability and stabilize prices nationwide.

He said that Bapanas is expediting the unloading process for ships with imported rice at various ports across the country.

As for the second measure, he noted that the agency continues distributing the State Logistics Agency’s (Bulog) commercial rice of 200,000 tons, including 50,000 tons to Cipinang Central Rice Market (PIBC) in Jakarta.

Adi said that the third and fourth measures are distributing rice under the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program to traditional markets and retail stores and continuing the nationwide Cheap Food Movement (GPM).

“Around 1.2 million tons of SPHP (rice) will be distributed to outlets. The stock at the PIBC is above 34,000 tons,” he said.

For the fifth measure, he ensured that rice assistance distribution will resume on February 15, following the 2024 General Elections on February 14.

The government has temporarily suspended the distribution of rice assistance between January 8 and February 14 to support a smooth implementation of the elections.

“Other programs are still running to meet domestic needs. The distribution of rice to traditional markets, retail outlets, and the Cipinang Central Rice Market must continue,” Adi emphasized.

Ahead of the expected big harvest in March, Bapanas, the Ministry of Agriculture, and relevant stakeholders will optimize the absorption of domestic rice output to prevent farmer-level price drops.

At the same time, replenishing the Government Food Reserves (CPP) from domestic production will be prioritized.

Published Date: February 11, 2024