Coordinating Minister Calls for Food Self-Sufficiency

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan delivers press statement after attending Limited Meeting on Food Policy at State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (12/30). (Photo by: Secretariat of Cabinet Support/Oji)

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan said we must remain optimistic and continue work hard to realize food self-sufficiency.

“With determination from everyone, particularly on points addressed by the President, we must all work hard and focus to achieve food self-sufficiency,” the Coordinating Minister said after attending a Limited Meeting on Food Policy at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (12/30).

According to him, domestic food production has shown positive results, adding that rice production in January and February showed a significant increase.

“In January, our rice production increased from 0.35 to 1.3 (million tons). In February, it increased from 0.8 tp 2.08 (million tons),” he added.

Zulkifli also revealed that during the meeting, President Prabowo Subianto decided not to import several essential commodities, such as rice, corn, consumption sugar, and salt.

“Alhamdulillah, during the meeting, the first decision was not to import rice next year. We must be brave not to import rice. Then, for corn, sugar for consumption, and salt, there will also be no imports,” he said, adding that the Government has also decided to raise the government purchase price (HPP) for rice and corn with the policy expected to provide more profits for farmers.

“Good news for farmers, the President has decided that the price of unhusked rice will rise from Rp6,000 to Rp6,500. The price of corn will rise from Rp5,000 to Rp5,500,” he said.

The Government, he added, is also committed to absorbing all the rice and corn production from farmers at the set prices.

“Today, we made a historic decision that we will absorb all the rice and corn production from farmers, no matter the amount, according to the price set by the Government,” said Zulkifli, while emphasizing that all domestic food products will not be subject to an increase in Value Added Tax (VAT).

“There will be no increase in VAT for any domestic food products. Whether it is glutinous rice, red rice, or any other food, there will be no VAT increase for all domestic food products,” he remarked. (TGH/DNS) (EST/EP)