Rice Price Hike Happens due to Troubled Distribution: VP
2 March 2015 03:34 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Jusuf Kalla said that the rice price increase in a number of regions in the country happened because of the ‘troubled distribution’.
The statement came after Kalla conducted an impromptu visit to a warehouse of State Logistics Agency (Bulog) South Sulawesi and West Sulawesi office in Makassar, Saturday, February 28, 2015.
"Actually it’s only because of communication problems. It’s only about distribution problem. because there’s no problem with the supply,” he said.
Kalla said that the availability of rice at the national level is safe and there’s no problem, especially because harvest season begin next month.
In the meantime, Head of Bulog South Sulawesi and West Sulawesi Office Abdullah Jawas said that rice supply in the warehouses reaches 90,000 tons. With the amount, he said that it is estimated that rice supply is safe until the next ten months.
"In March, we expect add around 350,000 to 500,000 tons,” he said.
Jawas also admitted that the South Sulawesi and West Sulawesi Bulog was also involved in stabilizing rice price by supplying rice to 22 provinces, including to Jakarta, which will receive a supply of 4,000 tons of rice next month.
AWANG DARMAWAN (MAKASSAR)
