President Jokowi Chairs Limited Meeting on Downstream of Food Products, Production Increase
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung engage in a dialogue before the Limited Cabinet Meeting on the Downstream of Food Products and Production Increase, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (07/10). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Rahmat)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Monday (07/10) at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, chaired a limited meeting on the Downstream of Food Products and Production Increase.
According to Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo, the meeting discussed two main things, namely the anticipatory measures for El Niño climate pattern and preparations for increasing food production and its downstream.
“Today, the President called on several ministers to discuss El Nino and agricultural-related matters, including food production and the downstream of food industry,” Arief said.
In the meeting, the President ordered Minister of Agriculture to constantly boost production, while State-run logistics firm Perum Bulog will assist with the absorption of rice, corn, and soybeans. Other products contained in Presidential Regulation Number 66 of 2021 on the National Food Agency will be regulated by ID Food, a State-owned Enterprise (BUMN) in the food sector .
Arief also said that the President also discuss the low-cost funding scheme provided by Ministry of Finance.
“The scheme is different to state-capital injections (PMN). It will be provided in the form of loans instead. Minister of Finance can guarantee that the funds will be deposited into the Association of State-Owned Banks (Himbara). Then, Himbara will allocate the funds to BUMN in the food sector, including Bulog and ID Food,” he said.
On that occasion, Arief also said that the President urged his ranks to maintain the country’s economic continued growth amid low inflation rate.
“The inflation rate remained quite stable at 3.5 percent last month. The rate must be maintained or even lowered. That way, inflation will stand below economic growth,” Arief said. (DND/UN) (RIF/LW)
