REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo reviewed the Cipinang Rice Master Market in East Jakarta to ensure that the rice stock is sufficient so that it is ready to be distributed, both to retail and traditional markets.
“I want to make sure that the rice that is here is available, there is sufficient quantity and I see an abundance,” President Jokowi said after reviewing the availability of rice at Cipinang Market on Thursday (15/2/2024).
The president explained that the rice stocks that go into Pasar Cipinang will be distributed to retail, traditional markets, to rice shops, both in the Jakarta area and the region.
According to the President, the increase in rice prices occurred because rice harvest production from the region has not entered the Cipinang Rice Master Market. In addition, rice distribution was also disrupted, one of which was affected by the rob floods that hit Demak and Grobogan Regency, Central Java.
The president has also ordered Perum Bulog to supply rice from the production of a number of regions to Cipinang Market, while waiting for the harvest to increase rice reserves.
“The flooding in Demak, in Grobogan is affecting, but I think it has been solved by shipping from Bulog also to the area, Bulog to Cipinang Parent Market, we will see, I guess in a week, two weeks I think it will go down a bit,” Jokowi said.
According to the official website of Cipinang Rice Master Market, rice stocks as of February 14, 2024 reached 33,378 tons with an average price of Rp 13,762 per kilogram. Meanwhile, Perum Bulog noted that rice stocks currently reach 1.18 million tons, which is ensured to be safe to meet the national rice requirement until April 2024.