Gov’t to Announce New Reference Price for Unhusked Rice

President Jokowi, accompanied by Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto and Governor of Central Java province Ganjar Pranowo, witnesses rice harvest in Kebumen regency, Central Java province, Thursday (03/09).

The Government is currently calculating the reference price (HPP) for unhusked rice and rice, following the decline in the price of harvested dry unhusked rice (GKP) due to harvest seasons in several regions across the country.

“We have harvest season in many provinces. I have talked to farmers, they told me that the price of harvested dry unhusked rice fell to Rp4,200. This is too low. The Government is currently calculating [the price] and the National Food Agency will soon unveil the price,” the President said after witnessing the rice harvest in Kebumen regency, Central Java province, Thursday (03/09).

The President said that in setting the price, the Government will take into account the cost of each production component, including land cost, fertilizer, and other components.

According to the President, the price is expected to be at the fair level for farmers, traders and consumers.

Regarding the availability of fertilizers which farmers often complain about, the President said that the Government would continue to take necessary measures to boost domestic fertilizer production while reducing dependence on imported products.

“We are aware that the national demand for fertilizer is approximately 13 million tons. Our fertilizer industry factories produce only 3.5 million tons, and we have added 570,000 tons at Pupuk Iskandar Muda,” the President said.

The President further said that there were obstacles in the global fertilizer supply chain which were triggered by the war between Russia and Ukraine. (FID/UN) (RI/MMB)