REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Ministry of Trade Rachmat Gobel affirmed that the decision for opening the rice import permit will be considered after the results of evaluation of rice stock are reported. Gobel admitted that he was still waiting for a report on the evaluation stocks of rice after the harvest of the Ministry of Agriculture.
“So, related with import or not, we are waiting evaluation results of rice stock condition. Yes, now, Mr. Minister of Agriculture has not yet reported it. We should know soon,” said Gobel after met Vice President Jusuf Kalla in Jakarta, on Friday, May 8.
He explained the import was the last alternative to fulfil the needs of domestic rice. He also called the current absorption of rice farmers conducted by Bulog is currently lacking. Thus, this condition could also affect the high price of rice in the market.
Meanwhile, Vice President Jusuf Kalla affirmed that rice import will do if rice production in domestic could not suffice the national reserves.
“It means, the prices are higher than the government’s prices so the national reserves to facing Ramadan are less, then it opens the possibility to be able to add to the national reserve of imports,” explained Kalla.
Nevertheless, the steps of rice import permit will be considered after the calculation of the rice harvest season is finished, which is around May or June. So the government could calculate whether rice production could meet the national reserve.
“So if after this harvest the national reserve is still less, we will see this next 1 -2 months. But, the harvest just until May, to see the results then considered if the national reserves are below 2 million tons. It will be considered,” he added.
However, VP affirmed that the best steps to fulfil the needs of domestic rice are increasing the production. Though, he explained, domestic productions are influenced by some factors like weather condition and seeds. He continued that extent permitted about opening of the rice import opportunity is also taken to anticipate the entry of the holy month of Ramadan.
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