The Deputy for Food Availability and Stabilization of Bapanas, I Gusti Ketut Astawa, said that the extension of food social assistance was carried out as part of the government’s strategy to protect the public and strengthen control over the prices of basic necessities, especially Minyakita cooking oil and rice.
“The food aid program has been extended until June to maintain affordability and help people meet their daily needs. We are also pushing for accelerated distribution so that the benefits can be felt immediately by the community,” said I Gusti Ketut Astawa.
According to him, the distribution of Minyakita in food aid has a significant impact on market price stability. The total distribution of cooking oil under the food aid program reached approximately 132,900 kiloliters and will be distributed in stages from May to June 2026.
He explained that accelerating food aid distribution not only helps beneficiaries but also strengthens market supply, keeping staple food prices under control. According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the average national price of Minyakita in the second week of May showed a weekly downward trend, although it remained slightly above the highest retail price (HET).
Minyakita distribution has reached 46,200 kiloliters to 11.5 million beneficiary families (KPM). Meanwhile, the Government Food Reserve (CPP) is also considered adequate, with Bulog managing approximately 89,000 kiloliters of cooking oil and ID FOOD approximately 700 kiloliters.
“With this food aid, beneficiaries receive basic necessities, including four liters of cooking oil per beneficiary. This significantly helps maintain people’s purchasing power,” said I Gusti Ketut Astawa, Deputy for Food Availability and Stabilization at Bapanas (National Food Program),
Meanwhile, the Director of Domestic Market Development at the Ministry of Trade, Nawandaru Dwi Putra, stated that the government continues to simultaneously strengthen two strategic programs: food aid and strengthening the supply of Minyakita to traditional markets through the Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) scheme.
“Food aid and market replenishment must go hand in hand to ensure supplies are maintained and people can access basic necessities at stable prices. This program demonstrates the government’s concrete presence in supporting the community,” said Nawandaru Dwi Putra.
Through collaboration between Bapanas, the Ministry of Trade, Bulog, and business actors, the government is optimistic that the distribution of food assistance in the form of rice and cooking oil will run optimally, thereby maintaining price stability and strengthening people’s purchasing power in various regions.