REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KUPANG -- Indonesian National Food Agency (Bapanas) ensures full food stocks for all regions in Indonesia.

“Mr. President (Joko Widodo) instructs me to ensure rice stocks in all regions should be sufficient,” Bapanas chief Arief Prasetyo Adi said in Kupang on Wednesday (6/12/2023), after accompanying President Joko Widodo to hand over government rice reserves (CBP) at NTT's Perum Bulog warehouse.

He said that the overall rice stock in Bulog itself is currently maintained at over 1 million tons.

“President requested that the stockpile could be increased to 3 thousand tons, to ensure adequate stocks under any conditions,” he explained.

So far, according to the task given to Bulog, he said that the agency has channeled Food Assistance program for the poor. It went well and as requested, the stocks are properly prepared.

NFA also preparative, continuing coordination with the relevant ministries, in handling the impact of El Nino or long droughts. He admitted the difficulties in absorbing rice from farmers due to the lack of production caused by El Nino.

Therefore, Indonesia strongly forced to import rice securing stocks in the country.

“We imported as much as 2 million tons, and will be finished in December, as we added 1,5 million tons more,” he said.

He also said that to ensure rice needs are safe for people the government then funnels government rice reserves (CBP) to the community.

Director of Supply Chain and Public Services Perum BULOG Mokhamid Suyamoto explained that Bulog as an operator, are fully support government programs such as this Food Aid for community in need.

“Stocks in these Bulog NTT warehouses as well as in Bulog warehouses throughout Indonesia are in very safe quantities. As directed by Mr. President, we also make sure that this rice stock is sufficient all the way to Central and Eastern Indonesia,” Suyamoto said.

As for the stock of the Government Rice Reserve owned by Bulog, there are currently 1.6 million tons. Besides, there are also additional rice import stocks according to the assignment given to Bulog in order to increase the strength of the Government Rice Reserve.

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