Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after Inspecting Water Pump Assistance for Rice Field Irrigation in East Kotawaringin Regency, West Sumatra Province, June 26, 2024
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Well, I noticed that the staple food price remains good. For example, onions and garlic cost Rp40,000 (per kg), and whole raw chicken costs Rp38,000. The prices are equal to those in Java, which is good.
Journalists
How about chili?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Chili cost Rp45,000 (per kg). As for bird’s eye chili, the price is equal to that of the island of Java, which is good.
Journalists
Sir, if that came from Java island, usually there is intervention from (inaudible) …
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Well, I note that in the market here, the price is still the same as in Java. Meaning, the supply, distribution, and transportation are trouble-free, isn’t that right? That’s why I carried out an inspection here. I was also surprised that the price was almost the same.
Journalists
… provinces in Indonesia …
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Well, almost all countries are currently affected by heat waves and long droughts, so productivity has dropped, and rice production has also collapsed. Many rice-exporter countries are now diverting their stocks to supply their own. Well, our country is the same. According to the BMKG (Met Office), during July, August, September, and October, and hopefully only until then, there will be heat waves and drought to anticipate. Therefore, we anticipate it by making pump lines. We will prepare the pumps across the country, which will be done in stages, 20,000 pumps for the initial stage and 70,000 (for the advanced stage). What for? Well, for such a thing as this, the water position is lower than the rice fields, and the water cannot flow into the fields since there is no pump. The pump is a trivial thing but necessary. I asked the farmers earlier if they had a pump. Well, if they previously had two pumps, they now have three; if they only had one, maybe they now have two or three. This will increase the productivity of farmers, which is a good thing. As for other problems, such as fertilizer, please do it on time. There are only 30 pumps for 435 hectares now, even though the total area of rice fields here is 7,600 hectares. Ministry of Agriculture is still working on the rest of the pumps so that everything is sufficient.
Journalists
How many pumps did East Kotawaringin get, sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I think 30-31, to be precise, 31 pumps for 7600 hectares, but with this number, it can only cover 435 hectares.
Journalists
Sir, … (inaudible) … go to Nusantara Capital?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, including this. If the index rises from the usual single harvest to three harvests, there will be excess production. If so, the excess production will be brought to IKN, not only from East Kotawaringin but also from other districts that have excess production.
Journalists
Thank you, Sir.
(GWH/MUR)