TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Arief Prasetyo Adi, head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), stated that the government's decision to increase the rice import quota by 1.6 million tons is aimed at anticipating the availability of Government Rice Reserve (CBP) stock. However, Arief claims that importing 1.6 million tons is not a priority for the government.

The government has officially raised the rice import quota by 1.6 million tons, resulting in a total import volume of 3.6 million tons for this year. When combined with the 500,000 tons from the quota at the end of 2023, which was postponed until the beginning of 2024, the total amount of imported rice for this year will reach 4.1 million tons, the highest in history.

"For the additional volume of 1.6 million tons, we only ensure that Bulog will be ready if the import is necessary. It's better to prepare now than to wait for the quota and have to attend time-consuming meetings," Arief said at the Cipinang Rice Market on Wednesday, February 28.

He said that by agreeing to increase the import quota early, the government will not have to wait long if additional imports are necessary. "We just need to control the timing of the import."

Arief ensured that rice imports would be carried out in a measured manner to maintain the price of grain at the farmer level. The government set the rice import quota based on production levels and domestic needs.

Global Price Hike

Arief said that there has been a global hike in rice prices, soaring from a range of US$460 to US$ 500 per ton to over US$ 600 per ton. "This is happening all over the world, not just in Indonesia."

That's why, he said, Bapanas and relevant stakeholders are working together to secure domestic stock availability. "Bulog must have a minimum of 1.2 million tons."

Delayed Harvest

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto had said that the decision to import rice was made to meet domestic needs due to a two-month delay in the harvest period.

"The harvest period was pushed back to April, May and June, causing production decline, and so the government decided to import," said Airlangga in Jakarta, Wednesday, February 14.

YOHANES MAHARSO | AMELIA RAHIMA SARI

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