Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Inspects North Sumatra Bulog Warehouse, Confirms Adequate Rice Reserves
Today, I inspected the rice reserves available in North Sumatra, and I am confident they are very sufficient.
Medan (ANTARA) - The Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Djamari Chaniago, inspected the Perum Bulog Warehouse for the North Sumatra Regional Office in Medan to ensure that rice reserves are adequate.
“Today, I inspected the rice reserves available in North Sumatra, and I am confident they are very sufficient,” said Djamari in Medan on Friday.
He stated that the public does not need to worry, as these staple food reserves are sufficient to meet the needs of North Sumatra.
Furthermore, he noted that the rice reserves in the warehouse are believed to be sufficient to meet public needs for the next eight months.
The Coordinating Minister emphasised that food security is an inseparable part of national security. According to him, the management of the Government’s rice reserves must be carried out professionally, accountably, and supported by strong synergy between ministries and agencies.
“Maintaining food availability will provide a sense of security for the community while simultaneously strengthening national stability,” he said.
The Regional Leader of Perum Bulog North Sumatra, Budi Cahyont, stated that food self-sufficiency, particularly in rice, is a tangible manifestation of this effort.
“This success is also inseparable from the synergy with the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) and Polri (National Police) to secure food supplies. This is extraordinary in supporting the increase of food production in the region,” he said.
He stated that the current rice stock in the North Sumatra Bulog Warehouse stands at 44,780 tonnes, and can increase according to the needs of the people in North Sumatra.
“The stock is also being bolstered by an additional seven thousand tonnes from Aceh and Jakarta to augment the North Sumatra warehouse stocks,” he added.
To maintain the quality of the rice, Bulog North Sumatra routinely conducts periodic checks in the storage warehouses to ensure that the quality remains preserved to meet the food needs of the community in the region.
“Quality checks are conducted regularly to ensure that the public receives rice that is safe and fit for consumption,” he said.
Budi noted that to maintain rice quality, his office conducts monthly pest control and fumigation every three months in the storage warehouses.
Additionally, laboratory examinations are carried out every six months to determine chemical levels, residues, and the overall suitability of the rice before consumption.