Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia during Inauguration of the Distribution of the Government Rice Reserves for Food Assistance in 2023, at the Bulog’s Ngabeyan Distribution Center, Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java Province, April 10, 2023
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this afternoon I officially distribute the Government rice reserves for food assistance in 2023. I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
This morning, we begin the distribution of food assistance from the Government rice reserves. In the next three months, we will distribute 10 kilograms of rice assistance each month. We will also immediately provide the assistance to 21.3 million families and several regencies/cities in Solo Raya. With this food assistance, we hope it can also lower the price of rice. That concludes my remarks.
Does anyone have any questions?
Journalist
[inaudible]
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
It is the harvest season in almost all provinces. I checked the harvest in East Java yesterday, Maros regency in South Sulawesi, Central Java, and West Java. Hence, we have no rice supply issues since it is still the harvest season.
Journalist
[inaudible]
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Sure. The rice imports will still be carried out as a precaution for reserves and a strategy to prepare for El Nino.
Journalist
[inaudible]
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
In general, we have not calculated the deadweight tonnage from the harvest season yet since all provinces are still harvesting. When they are all finished, we will calculate the actual data. Until that day comes, we can only estimate.
Journalist
[inaudible]
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
We have checked the prices in Boyolali regency. For cayenne pepper, the price stood at Rp80,000-Rp90,000 a month or two months ago, and it drops to Rp20,000 now. For eggs, the price drops from Rp32,000 to Rp24,000 or Rp25,000. For chicken meat, the price also drops from Rp37,000 to Rp32,000, not to mention the shallot price stood at Rp24,000. The prices of all commodities go down since the supplies of production are abundant. If the price goes down, it is certain that the supply must be abundant. But if the price goes up, then the supply must be less. That’s basic economic theory.
Journalist
[inaudible]
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Well, it depends on the supply. If the supply is abundant, it will certainly decrease. It is only two weeks left, insyaallah…
Journalist
[inaudible]
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
This is one of them. The food assistance can serve as a semi-market operation to support the community.
(RIF/HD)