Drought-victim farmers get free rice

Drought-victim farmers get free rice

BOGOR: A total of 388 tons of rice will be distributed to about 20,000
farming families whose harvest has failed due to the four-month
drought.

Assistant for development affairs with the Bogor regency
administration Mochtar Rusli said on Monday that the rice aid was
part of the central government's program to ease the impact of
the drought.

"The rice will be distributed free via subdistrict officials,"
he said.

Mochtar said that the recipients live in 119 subdistricts
spread through 15 districts of Jonggol, Cariu, Cileungsi,
Sukamakmur, Klapanunggal, Leuwiliang, Cibungbulang, Pamijahan,
Ciampea, Jasinga, Tenjo, Parung Panjang, Cigudeg, Nanggung and
Sukajaya districts.

According to Asep Tajudin, head of the stock room of the Bogor
Logistics Agency, the distribution of the free rice was taking
place from Oct. 13 to Oct. 22.

He said that a total 6,372 tons of rice were being held in
stock in a bid to anticipate increasing demand during the
oncoming Islamic fasting month, the Idul Fitri holiday in
November and Christmas.

"Should there be a scarcity of rice, the supply will be
disbursed to residents in Bogor city, Bogor regency and Depok,"
Asep added.