Gov’t Committed to Keeping Rice Stock in Check: Trade Minister

President Jokowi had a conversation with farmers in Trenggalek, East Java, Tuesday (11/30). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)

The Government has announced it is committed to maintaining the availability of national rice stock by assigning the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) to buy rice hulls and rice from farmers.

“The (rice import) permits in 2019, 2020, and 2021 were issued for special purposes and on a limited basis. The permits were issued for variants not produced domestically, including special rice for hotels, restaurants and cafes, rice for foreign nationals living in Indonesia such as Basmati, Japonica, and Hom Mali, special rice for persons with diabetes, and brown rice for industrial raw materials,” Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi. said.

According to the Minister, the Government will always maintain national rice stock, especially during COVID-19 pandemic, by protecting farmers and absorbing domestic production.

Ministry of Trade, he added, will also strive to maintain price stability through the policy on availability of supply and price stabilization (KPSH), including during Christmas and New Year holiday season.

“Ministry of Trade will continuously work with with all relevant stakeholders in ensuring the availability and price stability,” he remarked. (PR of Ministry of Trade/UN) (RI/EP)