DKI Jakarta Provincial Government Partners with Pariaman for Rice Procurement

The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, through its regional-owned enterprise Food Station Tjipinang Jaya, has established a cooperation agreement with the Pariaman City Government in West Sumatra for rice procurement. “DKI Jakarta does not have land; Jakarta only has fiscal resources,” said Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Rano Karno while witnessing the signing of the agreement in Pariaman on Monday. To meet the food needs, particularly rice, for Jakarta residents, his side must forge partnerships with several regions across Indonesia. He mentioned that the capital city’s monthly rice requirement reaches 80,000 tonnes, not to mention fish and various other food commodities. Therefore, DKI Jakarta sources various food commodities produced by other regions in Indonesia, including West Sumatra, known as a production centre for many food commodities. “For today (the cooperation with Pariaman) it is still rice, but if there are chillies or other commodities, we accept them. Jakarta needs support from any local government with which cooperation can be established,” he stated. He conveyed that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government sources many food commodities, from salt to cattle. Even, he added, the region must import nearly 15,000 heads of cattle every period. “If here they can breed (cattle), why not can we do that (cooperation),” he said. He hopes that this cooperation will not only support food self-sufficiency but also enhance food security and the economy of farmers in Pariaman. Meanwhile, Pariaman Mayor Yota Balad stated that the cooperation will have a significant impact on the local agricultural sector. “So, all forms of agricultural products will be sent to Jakarta,” he said. He also mentioned that his side will explore other cooperations with DKI Jakarta, one of which is in the tourism sector. The cooperation undertaken by the Pariaman City Government with DKI Jakarta serves as an effort to improve the community’s economy.