President Jokowi Inspects Corn Harvest in Sumbawa Regency, Ensures Price Stability

President Jokowi inspects great corn harvest in Sumbawa regency, West Nusa Tenggara, Thursday (05/02). (Photo: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Thursday (05/02) inspected great corn harvest in Sumbawa regency, West Nusa Tenggara province.

After the inspection, President Jokowi underscored the importance of price stability, especially when the supply experienced a surplus.

“Previously, the price was Rp 7,000. Now it is Rp4,200. It is good to maintain stability which is not easy,” President Jokowi said, while stressing the importance of rising corn production in each region that will also create impact on increasing farmers’ income.

“The productivity should improve. For instance, this area uses Tangguh seeds, and the production reached 7-8 tons, and BISI seeds also can produce 7, 8, 9 tons. So, the production should improve. However, some produced under 5 tons. So, the price of Rp4,200 will not be enough,” he said.

The President also expressed hope that corn price can keep increasing and create stability between demand and supply, while ordering related ministries to make a careful calculation.

“We have made calculation and continue to encourage. However, if the supply is overabundant and the demand remains stable, the market price will surely drop due to oversupply,” President Jokowi said.

President Jokowi also ordered related ministries to promote industrialization in agricultural sector, saying it is one of the Government’s efforts to maintain price stability.

“We continue to encourage downstreaming industry so the price can be stable. If industrialization runs well, the price can be more stable. However, if the rice should be delivered to Java Island, from here to West Java province, the cost of transportation will be higher,” he remarked. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (AW/EP)