VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Agriculture Ministry ensured that rice supply is safe for Christmas and New Year by bringing farmers' rice production closer to consumers.

The chain of distribution that can be cut down will hopefully provide profit for farmers and affordable price for consumers.

The government has marketed rice in six locations in East Jakarta as well as five locations in Greater Jakarta Area several days ago, the ministry said.

This rice distribution is marketed with affordable price in Greater Jakarta, Evaluation and Reporting Data Substance Coordinator at the Ministry's Food Crop Directorate General Batara Siagian informed in a statement on Saturday.

The government marketed 2.5 tons of rice at the start and marketed another 2.5 tons of rice on December 22, leading to a total of five tons.

The government sells two types of rice, namely medium and premium. Medium rice is sold for Rp9,400 per kg while the price tag for the premium rice is Rp10,000 per kg.

"This selling price is lower than the current market one, and it is expected to help the people," he remarked.

In relation to this distribution chain, he suggested that there should be a special consideration as well as active role from various related parties in providing such things as rice data collection to marketing.

These related parties include the Agriculture Ministry, Trade Ministry, State Logistics Agency, and National Food Agency (NFA)

Food Crop Director General at the Agriculture Ministry Suwandi stated that this intervention is undertaken in accordance with Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo's instruction to provide food during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

"By doing so, farmers' rice production will get closer to consumers because the current rice price hike is caused by the distribution chain that is too long," he explained. (antaranews)