By: Edi Jatmiko) *
The government ensures food stocks ahead of Christmas and New Year in a safe condition. In addition, the Government also continues to strive so that people can easily access these needs at affordable prices. It has become a routine before the religious holidays or the turn of the year, the price of basic goods will soar. This is influenced by food availability, distribution to other factors. Residents often associate holidays because these holidays make food supply reduced. As a result, the stock as for the price is inflated.
As if this is normal, residents become a little indifferent if the price of food and accessories reach an increase. But there are also those who complain about events like this. However, something was different this year. The government claims through the Food Security Agency that it will carry out action plans to safeguard price stabilization and food supply. Towards the National Religious Holidays (HKBN) Christmas 2018 and New Year 2019. Which include; coordination meetings (coordination meetings) by all agencies and stakeholders related to securing supplies and stabilizing food prices at the central and regional levels.
Monitoring of supply and prices of staple foods will be carried out mainly in the main markets and production center areas, including holding cheap food or selective market operations. According to the report, the focus of the program will be on nine provinces with a majority of residents celebrating Christmas and New Year. Namely, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Central Java, North Sumatra, North Sulawesi, NTT, Maluku, West Kalimantan and Bali as tourist destinations.
The Head of the Food Security Agency, Agung Hendriadi, confirmed that his party would carry out staple and strategic food monitoring, in the cumulative November to December 2018 period in a safe condition (surplus). However, beef or buffalo as an exception. He explained if the availability of local cattle during November-December reached 71,121 tons, while the need was 109,723 tons.
Nevertheless, Agung guarantees that the meat deficit of 38,611 tons will be fulfilled from the stock of cattle and buffaloes ready for slaughtering at 36,952.56 tons. In fact, meat and offal stock in the importer warehouse and Bulog will still be added at 13,544 tons. All of these stocks will be distributed in the Greater Jakarta area, Bandung, Bali, Batam and Riau Islands. Even at Bulog there are still 3,368.96 tons of buffalo meat and stock. The final balance in December is estimated to have a surplus reaching 17,296.52 tons.
This surplus is also believed to apply to nine other staples. The foodstuffs included rice with a total of 3.83 million tons, cooking oil totaling 24.50 million tons, availability of sugar 344 thousand tons, onion 136 thousand tons, chicken meat 335 thousand tons, and chicken eggs reached 806 thousand tons. The availability of rice is further strengthened by the existing rice reserves in the community (ie, farm households, horeka and also mills). It is said that the rice data at the Cipinang Rice Main Market (PIBC) states, if the rice stock is still safe and is higher if compared to last year.
From the conditions on the ground, the government is confident that by the end of 2018, especially the Christmas and New Year period, certain prices of staple and strategic food will be in a safe and stable line. Meanwhile, based on a number of reports from all parties including, Bulog, BUMD Food, DKPKP, UMKM Office, to the Department of Industry and Energy compact stated that food availability ahead of the two big days was stable and conditioned. Not only based on the report alone, but relevant agencies go directly to the field to ensure the real situation and match it with information on food stocks.
With a number of accurate data and supported by statements of relevant parties, this certainly makes citizens more calm and comfortable when welcoming the New Year and Christmas. It is not impossible that the government will repeat the glory in stabilizing prices as it was approaching the Islamic Religious Day (Idul Fitri). This is reflected when food supplies are late, then President Jokowi’s instructions come down to conduct a number of sudden inspections. Including ordering the relevant ministers to maintain the stability of food prices that are considered vulnerable before the big day. Of course this step proves that the government is not playing on its attention to all the people of Indonesia, in realizing national economic stability, which is safe and controlled, especially in the economic field.
