“The government food reserves for the 12 commodities will be released intensively ahead of Ramadan, until Ramadan, and Eid al-Fitr,” Director of Food Distribution and Reserves at Bapanas Rachmi Widiriani stated at the “Ramadan Preparation, Staple Food Price Conditions” event here on Monday.
The 12 food commodities are rice, corn, soybean, shallots, garlic, chili, bird’s eye chili, beef and buffalo meat, chicken meat, eggs, sugar, and cooking oil.
She noted that based on the results of the Coordination Meeting on Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr in Jakarta on Monday, the central government has urged all provincial, district, and city governments to carry out the cheap food movement (GPM).
“Thus, people can get or buy foodstuffs through the GPM,” Widiriani remarked.
She underlined that the prices of food commodities sold in the GPM are controlled by the government involving government partners, both associations and state-owned enterprises.
“The prices are more affordable. It makes it easier for the community to get foodstuffs, especially for the 12 commodities,” she remarked.
At the coordination meeting, Bapanas Head Arief Praestyo Adi elaborated on three measures that regional governments should take to stabilize food prices ahead of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.
The first measure that must be enacted by regional governments is carrying out the GPM in synergy with the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) as well as food associations in their respective regions.
Furthermore, the second measure that was encouraged is synergizing with the Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID), while the third measure is monitoring prices at central markets, traditional markets, and modern retail stores.
Related news: Rice price declines to Rp14 thousand per kilogram: Bapanas
Related news: Regional heads urged to enact 3 measures for food price stabilization
