By: Gema Iva Kirana )*
Ahead of the Eid al-Adha celebration, the government is increasingly strengthening efforts to maintain food stability throughout the country. With the increasing demand for basic commodities and the need for sacrificial meat, various strategic steps have been taken to ensure the availability and stability of food prices.
The government continues to stabilize prices of necessities, especially ahead of the Eid al-Adha momentum. These steps include strict supervision of distribution, increasing reserve stocks, as well as collaboration with various related parties. The government is committed to ensuring that people can celebrate Eid al-Adha in peace, without worrying about food shortages.
This is also reflected in the efforts made by the Banda Aceh City Government and Brebes Regency through the Cheap Food Movement (GPM). Through this activity, the government is trying to ensure the availability and accessibility of food for the community, so that they can celebrate the holiday with peace and blessings.
In Banda Aceh City, the Cheap Food Movement held by the Food, Agriculture, Maritime and Fisheries Department received a positive response from local residents. The Regional Secretary of Banda Aceh City, Wahyudi, emphasized the importance of this activity in facilitating residents ahead of Eid al-Adha.
Over a period of three consecutive days, hundreds of staple food packages were provided at affordable prices for residents who had Banda Aceh ID cards. The package consists of rice, cooking oil, granulated sugar and eggs, which is significantly subsidized by the Banda Aceh City Government. The price offered, namely IDR 152,000 per package, is an effective solution in meeting residents’ food needs amidst current economic challenges.
Head of the Banda Aceh City DPPKP, M. Nurdin, added that apart from staple food, various other commodities were also available in the GPM activities. Starting from red chilies, shallots, tomatoes, to various types of vegetables from women’s farming groups and farmer groups. This shows the government’s comprehensive efforts to ensure the availability of diverse and balanced food for the community.
Collaboration between the Banda Aceh Municipal Government and the Aceh Representative Bulog is the key to the success of this activity, which aims to optimize food distribution and maintain price stability ahead of Eid al-Adha.
Not much different, Brebes Regency is also making similar efforts through the Cheap Food Movement which was held on the grounds of the Agriculture and Food Security Service. In this event, Ir. Moh. Furqon Amperawan, MP, as Plt. Assistant 2 of the Brebes Regional Secretariat, conveyed the importance of this activity as a form of government support in providing cheap food for the community.
Collaboration between DPKP Brebes Regency, Perum Bulog, Gapoktan, PT. Charoen Pokphand Indonesia, and the Indonesian Fisheries Farmers Contact (KTNA) were the main foundations in organizing this event.
Responding to the spike in food prices ahead of Eid al-Adha, Ir. Yulia Hendrawati, M.Sc., as Head of the Brebes Regency Agriculture and Food Security Service, emphasized that the GPM activity was held as an anticipatory step. This is done to ensure the availability of food at affordable prices for the community, especially at important moments such as religious holidays.
By providing 400 food packages at prices cheaper than the market, the Brebes Regency government hopes to help the community meet their food needs more easily.
The efforts made by the government in Banda Aceh City and Brebes Regency are concrete examples of the commitment to bring prosperity to the community through access to sufficient and affordable food. Cheap Food Movement activities are a means for the government to maintain food price stability and ensure equitable distribution to all levels of society.
Through collaboration between agencies and support from various parties, this effort has succeeded in having a positive impact on people’s daily lives, especially in the midst of an economic situation that has not yet fully recovered due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In facing global challenges such as the pandemic and fluctuating food prices, collaboration between agencies is the main key in creating sustainable solutions. Through the Cheap Food Movement, the government not only provides cheap food for the community, but also guarantees sustainable access to quality food.
Therefore, as part of society, support and active participation in government efforts is very important. In this way, we can together ensure that every citizen has the same right to obtain sufficient and quality food, not only before the big holidays, but also throughout the year.
As we have seen through the Cheap Food Movement in Banda Aceh City and Brebes Regency, success in creating equal and affordable access to food for all requires cooperation and commitment from all parties.
The Government’s steps in maintaining price stability and food needs need to be appreciated. With this community support, it is hoped that food price stability in the market can continue to be maintained.
)* The author is a Persada Institute Contributor
