Govt Prepares `ATMs for Rice` to Aid COVID-19 Impacted Families
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14 April 2020 11:30 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Agriculture is planning a national program that procures booths, which distributes rice, similar to an automatic teller machine (ATM). The program will be accessible to nearby residents, especially those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo, explained that based on the calculations done by the ministry, the program would require funds upwards of hundreds of billions. As a result, Syahrul plans to postpone other programs in the Ministry of Agriculture, in order to free up the necessary budget for the program.
"Yesterday, I asked my staff to calculate (for the procurement of the ATMs for rice). The result; we need to allocate hundreds of billions. I said (to my staff), that would not be a problem as we can postpone other programs. The ATMs for rice will provide 1.5kg of rice per withdrawal," he said, on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.
In addition to planning for the procurement of rice ATMs, Shayrul continued, he will ask all governors in 34 provinces to provide the Ministry of Agriculture food availability reports, especially the availability of 11 basic food products and livestock products, in preparation for the coming Eid al-Fitr.
According to Syahrul, the Ministry’s working cooperation with partners in the provision and distribution of food will continue to be implemented in all regions, in order to ensure that the food supplies remain accessible to the people.
In addition to food suppliers, the Ministry of Agriculture is also cooperating with the online motorcycle taxi application, Grab.
“From the reports I have received so far; in general, our food supply in all regions remains safe. In essence, we must continue to work together to fight this virus," he added.
BISNIS | DIO SUHENDA (INTERN TRANSLATOR)