Preventing Rice Price Volatility, Government Moves Quickly to Distribute Rice Aid Up to BLT

Jakarta – The government is making every effort to prevent the negative impact of ongoing rice price fluctuations. Various methods were taken, ranging from distributing rice aid to Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) to affected communities.

Regarding this, Agricultural Observer of the Indonesian Political Economy Association (AEPI) Khudori assessed that the Government’s policy was understandable. Because, this is to maintain people’s purchasing power.

“The government is concerned about maintaining the purchasing power of the poor and vulnerable communities so that their purchasing power is not affected,” he said

He explained that the high increase in rice prices due to various factors could have an impact on household expenditure in the lower levels of society. Because, this can actually create more poor groups.

“Therefore, if the price of rice is high, their purchasing power will be disrupted and even people who are only a few inches above the poverty line could fall into poverty,” he added.

Furthermore, Khudori also assessed that the government’s rice assistance policy was effective in curbing the increase in rice prices.

“In general, the price of rice has indeed increased from August 2022 to March 2023, but when there is rice assistance, price fluctuations can be controlled,” he said.

Not only rice and BLT assistance, the Government is also considered to be aggressively making various efforts so that people can access food easily.

“When the price of rice was high, the government carried out market operations and social assistance which continued until this year,” he explained.

He also hopes that the Government can anticipate a number of moments that can increase rice consumption, such as during the election.

“Apart from that, there is Ramadhan and the momentum of Eid al-Fitr is welcomed in April and that is also momentum,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the Chair of the West Papua Province Love NKRI Movement, Napoleon Fakdawer praised the Government’s efforts to achieve food security, especially in Papua.

“Building food security in Papua is not as easy as turning over the palm of your hand because there are a number of challenges that lie ahead,” he said.

He explained that food sovereignty is one of the national development goals that must be realized. Therefore, cooperation between government, society and the private sector is needed.

“Not only the government, society also plays an important role in maintaining food sovereignty in Indonesia.” Napoleon explained

He also invited the public to support local farmers so that they could be more empowered.

“The public can support local farmers by purchasing products from local farmers,” he concluded.