Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia After Attending Rice Harvest in Kartoharjo Village, Ngawi Regency, East Java Province, March 11, 2023

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 11 Maret 2023
Category: Speech Transcript
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President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

After [the harvest] in Kebumen yesterday, we are now attending the harvest in Ngawi regency, East Java province. I have seen the differences in terms of productivity per hectare. Here, the productivity level has reached 10.5 tons per hectare, some have reached 8 tons per hectare. Yesterday, we saw that the productivity level was 5.5 to 6 [tons per hectare]. Every region has different soil fertility rate and different land management in terms of irrigation and other aspects.

The price of unhusked rice must be determined immediately to prevent the lower price due to the harvest season in many regions. The [National] Food Agency will announce it soon, so that the Bulog’s purchases become clear in terms of the GKP [harvested dry unhusked rice].

Journalist
What about the fertilizer, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

There was complaint regarding the fertilizer in Kebumen, but they don’t have any complaint here. The situation is different in every region.

Journalist
The supply is not sufficient at the national level?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The supply is not sufficient.

Journalist
What is the ideal price for unhusked rice?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The [National] Food Agency will announce it.

Journalist
Regarding the price of rice…

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

The most important thing is that we must prevent the price to be lower than the cost paid by the farmers. That is the most important thing.

Journalist
Thank you, sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

We are in the harvest season now. If we don’t manage the price of unhusked rice and rice, the price will decline. It is difficult for the Government to maintain the balance. The fair price for farmers means that the farmers will get profit, the fair price for traders means that the traders will get profit. The consumer price should also be maintained at the fair level. To maintain that balance is not easy.

Journalist
Thank you, sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

I urge all farmers in the country to immediately cultivate the land after the harvest, without any delay, because the water supply is available and we are in the rainy season.

Journalist
Thank you, sir.

(RI/LW)

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