Great Harvest, President Asks Bulog to Absorb As Much Farmers' Grain

INDUSTRY.co.id - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked Perum Bulog to absorb as much grain from farmers as possible, especially during the current harvest season.

This was conveyed by the President after observing and inaugurating the Bulog Rice Mill Center, which is located in Masaran District, Sragen, Central Java (Central Java), Saturday (11/03/2023) morning.

“Two days ago in Kebumen, then this morning in Ngawi Regency, everyone has started this year's main harvest. Therefore, this morning I asked Bulog, the President Director of [Bulog], to absorb as much grain as possible from the farmers," he said.

In 2023, the President is targeting Bulog to be able to absorb 2.4 million tons of rice from farmers.

"This year I have ordered Bulog to be ready with a figure of 2.4 million tons so that it will bring our price stability to a higher level," he said.

The president added that the government is reformulating the government's basic price (HPP) for grain so that it continues to provide benefits for farmers. The president also asked Bulog to buy harvested dry unhusked rice (GKP) at that price.

"We want the farmers' prices to be reasonable, then the prices at the traders are also reasonable, everyone can benefit, and consumer prices in the community are also in a reasonable position. Maintaining this balance is not easy,” he said.

With regard to rice milling centers, the President revealed that until now Bulog has seven milling centers operating in various rice production centers in the country.

"This is not only in Sragen, but also seven locations that have been operating in Subang, in Kendal, in Karawang, in Lampung, in Bojonegoro, in Magetan, and in Sragen," he said.

The President is optimistic that the existence of this milling center will become Bulog's strength in optimizing farmers' grain uptake.

"This will strengthen Bulog's strength in absorbing grain from farmers with a very large capacity," he said.

Accompanying President Jokowi on this occasion was Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Main Director of Perum Bulog Budi Waseso, and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo.