Bapanas Head Ensures Availability of Rice Stock Ahead of Ramadan

President Jokowi Monday (02/19) attends the handover of CBP food assistance in the Integrated Agricultural Area, South Tangerang city, Banten province. (Photo by: PR/Jay)

The National Food Agency (Bapanas) has ensured the availability of rice for the fasting month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 1445 Hijri/2024 CE.

“We believe that there is enough rice for the fasting month and the Eid,” the Bapanas Head Arief Prasetyo said after the handover of the Government’s rice reserve (CBP) food assistance in the Integrated Agricultural Area, South Tangerang city, Banten province, Monday (02/19).

According to him, around 1.4 tons of rice of the National Logistics Agency (Bulog) is currently in stock and ready to be distributed to various regions in the country.

“This is what must be done, and the Bulog President Director has also continued to push for the stock to enter the Cipinang Central Market and also enter traditional markets and even modern retail outlets. So today, the demand at modern retail outlets has also begun to be met; for the past week, the stock has continued to be replenished,” he said.

Arief also expressed hope that the upcoming great harvest can increase the stock as well as maintain the stability of rice prices.

“We hope that the harvest in March can yield more than three million tons, around 3.5 million tons,” he said. (DND/UN) (FI/MMB)