National Rice Stock Adequate For Several Months: Minister

Manado, N Sulawesi (Antara Bali) - Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has reiterated that Indonesia's rice stock is sufficient to meet the people's needs up to September 2015.

"The current rice stock is secure and adequate to meet the people's needs for several months," the minister said during his working visit to accompany President Joko Widodo here on Thursday.

Rice and unhusked dry rice stock is secure as local farmers have produced a large volume of the commodity. It is sufficient to meet increasing demand in the coming fasting month and post-fasting Idul Fitri or Lebaran festivities.

"Rice stock is sufficient for the people's needs until September 2015. The plan to import rice will be carried out only as the last resort," he added.

The government through the state logistics board Bulog is ready to purchase farmers' rice. A total of 75 rice producing districts in Indonesia are still selling rice below the government's reference price (HPP) of Rp7,260 per kilogram.

Most of the rice producing centers in the country are still harvesting every day but the peak harvest seasons are in March and in June, the minister said.

Bulog will purchase the farmers' rice to increase its stock. It will not restrict the volume of its pruchase. "Bulog will buy it now matter how much the farmers have produced," the minister stressed. (WDY)