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Meanwhile, the Head of the National Food Agency or National Food Agency (NFA) Arief Prasetyo Adi said, based on the sample area framework issued by BPS in January and February, if totaled from the needs compared to production there is a gap of about 2.8 million tons.
He explained the deficit of national rice supplies of about 2.8 million tons was due to the impact of El Nino. So in January to February 2024 will be fulfilled with the rice import program. However, the implementation of the import will be carried out before the harvest season.
"Last year, the President approved in an internal meeting to import two million tons. The condition is that the price at the farmer level is maintained as it is today. So the balance, hopefully, can be covered. Then there is a note, before the harvest season it must have entered," said Arief.
Arief emphasized, that his party continues to strive to maintain prices at the farmer level. The rice importation carried out to ensure a strong CBP stock, he added, will go hand in hand with maintaining prices at the farmer level.
"Our needs for one month are about 2.5 to 2.6 million tons. Two months, due to this El Nino, in January-February we lack about 2.8 (million tons), but we will cover with the 2023 carryover and imports that enter in 2024," explained Arief.
The plan is to import from Vietnam and Thailand. In addition, his party will also follow up on the import plan from China.
"We report that we will follow up on some that have already been with the president from China, Thailand, and Vietnam. But there is a note that if possible before the harvest season it must have entered," revealed Arief.
