East Nusa Tenggara Ensures Food Supplies Safe Ahead of Eid

The Governor of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, has confirmed that rice stocks in the region remain secure for approximately three months leading up to Eid al-Fitr.

According to Laka Lena, rice availability managed by Bulog in NTT currently stands at approximately 17,500 tonnes. “It is confirmed to be sufficient to meet community needs for approximately three months ahead, leading up to Eid al-Fitr,” said Laka Lena when contacted on Saturday, 14 March 2026.

Based on monitoring by the NTT Department of Industry and Trade (Disperindag) of 17 types and 26 essential commodities during the January-February 2026 period, average stock resilience remains capable of meeting needs during the National Religious Holiday period. “Average stock resilience remains capable of meeting needs during the National Religious Holiday period, with average resilience of approximately two months,” he stated.

Regarding prices, several commodities have experienced increases at the distributor level: beef 2.94%, chicken eggs 45%, shallots 14.28%, large red chilli 33.33%, curly red chilli 14.28%, and red bird’s eye chilli 8.33%.

To maintain price stability, Disperindag is coordinating with the Police Regional Task Force on Food and the Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID) to monitor price developments during the holiday period.

Transport and Border Oversight

In addition to ensuring food availability, the NTT Provincial Government is preparing smooth transportation ahead of the holiday exodus. Laka Lena stated that the Department of Transportation is continuously coordinating with various transport partners to ensure transportation services during the exodus period run well. “The exodus transport must be ensured to be safe, especially sea and air transport. For land transport, it is relatively safe so far,” he added.

The NTT Provincial Government also held a coordination meeting with the NTT Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) to discuss readiness for the exodus period, availability of basic goods and fuel, surveillance of illegal crossings in border areas, and prevention of social conflict in East Flores and Alor Districts.

“These include anticipating the Eid exodus, availability of basic goods and fuel, surveillance of illegal crossings in border areas, and prevention of social conflict in East Flores and Alor Districts,” he explained.

The meeting also discussed measures to prevent social conflict, particularly land disputes in the Adonara region, East Flores District, and social dynamics in Alor District.

He also highlighted the importance of monitoring crossing routes in border areas, particularly in Wini, Motamasin and Oepoli, to prevent illegal cross-border activities. “We only have a few official entry points, whilst unofficial routes are quite numerous. Therefore good surveillance is needed to prevent illegal crossings, whether of people or goods, to and from the East Timor region,” he explained.

He emphasised that Forkopimda NTT has a strategic role in ensuring security and public order remain conducive during the Eid celebration.

“The focus of Forkopimda synergy is directed at several matters: ensuring smooth transport during the exodus, maintaining stable food prices, strengthening border area surveillance, improving early detection of social conflict, and strengthening coordination between the military, national police, and the regional government,” he concluded.