Do we have to import rice?<\/p>\n
In Indonesia rice is a vital commodity and there are worried
\nrumors if there is a shortage of it or prices soar beyond
\ncontrol. The government realizes this and always keeps a close
\nwatch on the rice situation. If a shortage in certain areas is
\nexpected then Bulog (the National Logistics Agency) steps in with
\nwhat we call market operation to keep prices stable and the
\nstocks adequate.<\/p>\n
In The Jakarta Post on Dec. 4 we read: \"According to Bedu
\nAmang (Bulog chief) the Indonesian government will not import
\nrice because the national rice supply is adequate.\" But the state
\nminister of food, according to Kompas on Dec. 4, 1997 said that
\nthe government would keep the import tap open to fill the
\nshortage in our national rice stock.<\/p>\n
The Bulog chief stated that the supply was adequate and thus
\nno import was needed. On the other hand, the state minister of
\nfood, who is one and the same person, stated that the government
\nwould import rice to overcome the shortage in the rice stock. I
\ndo not know who to believe.<\/p>\n
However, allow me to present the facts according to the
\nNational Bureau of Statistics, which explains the rice
\nproduction, consumption and the surpluses, expressed in million
\ntons. In the following list P=production, C=consumption and
\nS=surplus.<\/p>\n
1994: P 29,216, C 25,138, S 4,620<\/p>\n
1995: P 31,738, C 25,547, S 6,191<\/p>\n
1996: P 32,604, C 25,951, S 6,653<\/p>\n
1997: a surplus of 4,996 is expected.<\/p>\n
Due to the increase of production every year the surplus stock
\nis never used, so if we add up all surpluses since 1994 then
\nIndonesia has a surplus of 22,410 million tons. Unfortunately,
\nthere is no explanation given as to what has happened to this.<\/p>\n
In our financial crisis now is it necessary to import rice and
\nspend foreign currency for that?<\/p>\n
Only the state minister of food can give the correct answer,
\nbecause he is the one who said that the government would import
\nrice and not the Bulog chief.<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/do-we-have-to-import-rice-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }