TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi stated that the upsurge in rice prices was primarily caused by climate change which resulted in crop failures, leading to a global hike in rice prices, including in Indonesia.

“Why [are rice prices rising]? Because there is a phenomenon of climate change, weather changes that result in crop failures,” the President said when handing over rice aid to beneficiary families (KPM) in South Tangerang, Banten, on Monday, February 19, 2024.

According to him, despite the decrease in rice production, the consumption of rice has remained constant in Indonesia. Consequently, there is a shortage of the supply of rice, which in turn has caused a rise in market prices.

The National Food Agency's official page on Monday reported that the average price of premium rice reached Rp16,100 per kilogram. The average price of rice in Jakarta stood at Rp16,500 per kg. The highest price was recorded in Papua Pegunungan Province at Rp23,800 per kg, and the lowest price was recorded in Aceh at Rp14,850 per kg.

To help poor families, the government distributed rice assistance to 22 million families, based on data from the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture. “The government provides this rice aid to help all mothers because the price has risen,” the state head added.

The rice assistance has been distributed since the beginning of 2023 and then extended in 2024, from January to June.

Jokowi said that the program would be extended again if the State Budget permits. “We will see if the State Budget is sufficient or not. If it is sufficient, we will continue [the rice assistance],” he said.

ANTARA

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