Gov’t Delivers Massive Food Aid, Ensures Secure Rice Stocks in Disaster-Hit Regions
Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman Reports Massive Food Aid Distribution to Disaster-Affected Regions, on Monday (12/15). (Photo by: BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)
The Government has announced it has provided substantial food assistance to areas affected by disasters.
In his report to President Prabowo Subianto during the Plenary Cabinet Meeting (SKP) at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Monday (12/15), Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that his Ministry has so far distributed around 44,000 tons of rice to disaster-affected areas.
“We have prepared reserves amounting to three times the required level, totaling 120 thousand tons on the ground. Therefore, there are no issues with food supplies, Mr. President. Three times the required amount,” Andi said.
In addition to food assistance, Minister of Agriculture also reported government assistance with a total value of Rp1 trillion. Additional support has also been provided by other ministries and partners, amounting to approximately Rp75 billion.
“We have already dispatched two vessels. Thank you, Mr. Commander. Tomorrow, we will dispatch another vessel, bringing the total to three vessels,” he added.
Regarding the impact of the disaster on the agricultural sector, Minister of Agriculture also stated that approximately 70,000 hectares of rice fields have been damaged.
In his report, Andi also highlighted positive trends in farmer welfare, adding that the Farmer’s Terms of Trade (NTP) reached 124.36, surpassing the target of 110 set by Minister of Finance.
“This is the highest in history. For rice alone, the total increase in farmers’ income is 120 trillion rupiah,” he stated.
The Minister also reported an increase in national rice production, which reached 4.17 million tons according to data from the Statistics Indonesia.
“Insyaallah, in two weeks we will be able to announce Indonesia’s food self-sufficiency, and the achievement of self-sufficiency by January 1st will be the fastest on record,” he continued.
Regarding stock levels, the Minister stated that the national rice reserve is projected to reach 3.7 million tons by the end of the year. As for fertilizer, the successful fertilizer policy has increased the volume by 700,000 tons while reducing the price by approximately 20 percent, without imposing an additional burden on the state budget.
“Alhamdulillah, it has been running smoothly for two months now. This does not add to the budget or burden Minister of Finance. It only modifies existing regulations, including Presidential Regulation and Decisions of Minister of Finance and Minister of Agriculture,” he remarked. (BPMI SETPRES) (AP/EP)
