Jokowi Claims Dry Season Rice Stocks Are Safe, Observers Question

The government is building pump wells at rice production locations that lack water to anticipate the impact of the drought.

BIRO PERS SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN/VICO

President Joko Widodo directly inspected the stock and prices of several food items in Pasar Baru, Karawang, West Java Province, on Wednesday (8/5/2024).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - President Joko Widodo emphasized that currently the rice stock in the Logistics Affairs Agency is sufficient, which is around 1.6 million tons. This stock is more than the average reserve that had been held. The President stated that this food stock is safe entering the dry season. However, observers consider that the food reserve is still relatively unsafe.

"Good, good (food stock in the dry season). "But, whatever this drought is, we have anticipated it by building and pumping wells," said President Jokowi after directly inspecting the stock and prices of a number of foodstuffs in Pasar Baru, Karawang, West Java Province, Wednesday (8/5/2024).

According to President Jokowi, rice stocks at the Logistics Affairs Agency (Bulog) currently reach 1.6 million tons. "Usually, our maximum stock is usually only 1.2 (million tons) or often it is below our average stock of 1.2 (million tons). "This is 1.6 (million tons) of stock in Bulog," said the President.

Also read: Optimize Rice Production, Anticipate Harvest Failure

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Program Instructor at the Faculty of Agriculture, Gadjah Mada University, Gilang Wirakusuma, believes that a food reserve of 1.6 million tons is relatively not safe enough to face the dry season.

"At least 10-15% of national needs, or around 3-4 million tons, need to be reserved. 1.6 million tons of reserves will last less than a month assuming crop failure in one planting season," said Gilang.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Residents check the quality of rice at the Cipinang Rice Main Market, East Jakarta, Thursday (25/4/2024).

At least 10-15 percent of national needs, or around 3-4 million tons. 1.6 million tons will only last for less than a month assuming a crop failure in one planting season.

Meanwhile, agricultural observer from the Indonesian Political Economic Association (AEPI), Khudori, assessed that the rice supply of 1.6 million tons in the Bulog warehouse, is relatively sufficient for now. However, most of the stock still comes from imported procurement. Procurement from domestic production is still small.

This month, Bulog is expected to increase the procurement of rice or paddy on a large scale. "This is because a monthly deficit is expected to occur in June-July again. Referring to the production pattern of the last two years (2022-2023), the chance of surplus production in the following months is also small. Therefore, Bulog must optimize procurement this May," said Khudori.

Also read: Bulog Indicates Rice Prices Will Difficult to Drop to Last Year's Position

In a written press statement on the Bulog website on Thursday (2/5/2024), the Main Director of Perum Bulog, Bayu Krisnamurthi, said that domestic consumption of grain and rice continues to be increased to fulfill the government's food reserves (CPP). On a year-on-year basis, last April, domestic grain/rice absorption reached the highest in the last 3 years, namely 468,000 tonnes equivalent to harvested dry grain (GKP).

"At present, with various efforts that we have made, Bulog can absorb up to 30,000 tons of equivalent unhusked rice per day, which was previously below an average of 20,000 tons," said Bayu.

When directly inspecting the stock and prices of some food items at Pasar Baru, Karawang, the President found that the prices of several staple foods in the market were still in a good condition. "I think the prices are good. Meaning that the inflation rate will also decrease, right, in the previous month," said the President.

The president stated that the prices of several staple goods have actually decreased. For example, the price of shallots is Rp. 45,000 per kilogram, while the price of garlic is in the range of Rp. 38,000-Rp. 40,000 per kilogram. "Then there is also local rice with a price range of Rp. 12,000 to Rp. 13,000," added the president.

Also read: Lack of Water Storage for Agricultural Irrigation

The President also stated that the government has taken several anticipatory measures to prevent the dry season. These steps include building and creating several pump wells in areas experiencing water shortages.

"Especially at points related to rice farming, it was started by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Public Works," said the President.

BIRO PERS SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN/VICO

President Joko Widodo gave a press statement after directly reviewing the stock and prices of several food commodities at Pasar Baru, Karawang, West Java on Wednesday (8/5/2024).

Regarding the anticipation of the 2024 dry season, Gilang believes that tactical efforts are indeed needed to ensure the availability of water before the start of the second planting season this year, especially for the needs of rice farming. Currently, rice is indeed the focus of national food security, so special policies are needed to support its productivity improvement.

Water wells are indeed one of the realistic alternatives for the short term. However, their utilization in the long run needs to be considered. Water wells will exploit ground water massively. Therefore, accompanying technology is necessary to accumulate ground water resources.

Also read: Water Conservation Maintains National Rice Production in the Midst of the Climate Crisis

In addition, the use of pump wells will result in increased energy costs borne by farmers. This consequence is relatively contradictory to the condition of farmers who are identified with limited financial resources. Therefore, the utilization of pump wells can be implemented communally through farmer groups and spread systems to be more efficient.

An electricity pole for a well pump was installed in the middle of a rice field in Plosokerep Village, Karangmalang, Sragen, Central Java, on Thursday (14/9/2023).

As for long-term and sustainable strategies, the use of surface water and rainwater for agriculture must be prioritized. "It cannot be denied that we are currently facing a threat of land subsidence due to massive exploitation of groundwater. I hope that the government's reservoir development program or water utilization sources that have been implemented or are being planned can be effective as soon as possible," said Gilang.

Also read: President Targets 57 Dams to Be Completely Built by the End of 2024

Another step that can be taken to avoid excessive groundwater exploitation is through the use of appropriate irrigation technology. There are already many parties in Indonesia who are able to provide this technology, but it is still not accessible to farmers due to financial limitations.

Khudori considers building wells and pumps during the dry season as a good step to ensure the availability of water. "But this is not enough. Pumps or wells with pumps certainly require fuel. Farmers need to be ensured adequate access to subsidized fuel. It is different if the pump and well with pumps are powered by electricity," he said.

In addition, an equally important issue is the availability of fertilizers, seeds, and farm operating costs. Even if water is available, if fertilizers, seeds, and farm operating costs are not available, crops will not grow optimally.

"For this to work well, the Ministry of Agriculture cannot work alone. Local governments need to be involved because the execution of all of this is in the region. The region must be fully involved," said Khudori.