Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia When Checking Unhusked Rice Price, in Bandung Regency, West Java Province, March 6, 2023

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
[I asked] how much the price of unhusked rice is, how much the price of dried unhusked rice is. I have talked with the farmers and the price is still high. 

Reporter
How much?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
They told me the price is Rp6,000. It is still reasonable.

Reporter
Did they tell you that they gain profit or loss instead?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The price which is Rp6,000 is still considered good. However, they had a complaint over the high price of fertilizer.

Reporter
What else, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
There is now large supply of fertilizer now but the harvest season is over.

Reporter
Can we assume that harvest yield nationally will be enough and there’s no need for imported rice?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I’m talking about the great harvest. On the other hand, import is needed when there’s no supply and harvest.

Reporter
For now, the supply is secured, right?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, considering farmers in almost all regions have just reaped their harvest. Earlier, I asked the farmers whether the unhusked rice price has already gone down or not. If the unhusked rice price goes down, the price of rice will go down as well.

(RAS/LW)