Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture boosts grain uptake of East Java farmers
Agung Hendriadi, head of the food security agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, said that the mission is to realise food security in the country.
According to Agung, the potential absorption by Bureau of Logistics (Bulog) to farmers can be sourced from two doors, first from partners in the form of grain directly to UPGB and indirect rice from LUPM, and second from Bulog Partners in the form of grain (filial warehouse) and rice (Bulog's warehouse).
In 2018, the East Java Regional Bulog was able to absorb 1,000 tonnes of rice equivalent per day, this year it is expected to increase or at least maintain.
The target and realisation of the procurement of rice-grain in East Java had not been significant but would continue to be improved.
Head of the Jember Sub-Department of Sub-Directorate of Logistics Jamaludin expressed his optimism in the absorption of grain and rice to farmers, especially in the Jember region.
“Our absorption in Jember is currently still low at 109 tonnes, but I'm sure this week the realisation will increase sharply because the harvest is already abundant,” said Jamaludin.
“In total, there will be an additional around 18,000 tonnes of rice equivalent that will be included in the Jember Sub-Directorate of Logistics in April,” Jamaludin explained.
At the end of the trip to Jember and Bondowoso, Agung requested that the Sub-directorate of the Sub-department maintain the price at the farm level because one of the functions of Bulog was to maintain price stabilization.
