Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after Visiting Bulog Batangase Warehouse Mandai District, Maros Regency, South Sulawesi Province March 30, 2023

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

I am visiting Bulog’s warehouse in Maros Regency, South Sulawesi to check or compare Bulog’s absorption this year compared to last year.

There is a fairly drastic decline. Usually, in March, [the Bulog can absorb to] up to 40,000, 50,000 [tons], but in the same month this year, it only absorbed 6,000 tons.

We observed the reason on the ground to figure out why this is the case. It turned out that a significant amount of rice in South Sulawesi was sent to other provinces. Usually, the total [rice sent to other provinces] is not as many as that of this year.

We will find out which provinces and why. So, we hope that supply in all provinces, the rice stock in all provinces is in normal conditions. Several regencies in the province are still in the great harvest season, such as those in Maros and Sidenreng Rappang regencies. We must be prepared for anything, not only in South Sulawesi province but in other provinces as well.

Journalists
Do you have instructions for Bulog or the provincial governments on the absorption of rice?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

I gave the order three months ago to absorb 2.4 million tons. However, if we cannot find the supplies, it is possible that the target cannot be met. We will see. This is still the great harvest season. Yesterday, I noticed that the price in a market in Maros has dropped to Rp10,500. I think this is good news when [the prices] in other regions are still considered high.

Journalists
What about the seed self-sufficiency program?

South Sulawesi Governor

On the free seed program, I will, we have a program at provincial-level.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Do ask the Governor. Do ask Minister of Agriculture. On a very technical topic like that, ask Minister of Agriculture.

Journalists
Sir, the provincial government is planning to establish a central market for rice. How is the Central Government going to support the plan for the central market, which I believe, is planned to be located in Pinrang regency?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

That is good. If there is a central market, it will be easier to control it, to control the stock, to control the circulation of money in the rice-related business. For example, we have a central market in Cipinang, we know how much supply we should have and how many we have this month. It becomes clear. Let’s say the minimum stock of rice in Cipinang is 30,000 [tons]It means that if the stock is lower than that, we need to take an action. Likewise, here, if there will be a central market, it will facilitate farmers to sell their produce, for South Sulawesi to determine whether certain produce can be sold to other regions or kept in stock for own needs. Everything will be clear.

Journalists
And what support provided for the central market from the Central Government?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

I still do not know the plan yet. If the plan is already drawn up, I will be able to issue a statement.

(FI/RAS/EP)