Minister: Rice distribution reflects government's attention

Agriculture Minister and Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Andi Amran Sulaiman has stated that the distribution of rice food aid reflects the attention of the central government towards the community. “This is a directive from the President, we are distributing it to 33.4 million beneficiaries across Indonesia. This is the second day after Alor yesterday,” he said during the rice distribution in Lidah Kulon Urban Village, Lakarsantri District, Surabaya, on Wednesday. He noted that the national rice supply is very abundant, reaching 5.2 million tonnes, and this distribution is carried out alongside efforts to improve farmers’ welfare. “Food aid is ongoing, farmers’ welfare is increasing, and our stocks are plentiful. We will distribute it in the shortest time possible,” Amran continued. Director of Perum Bulog, Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, affirmed his agency’s readiness to optimally carry out the government’s assignment as the main operator in the Food Aid programme. “This Food Aid programme is a real manifestation of the state’s presence in ensuring the community’s food needs are met. Today, together with the Head of Bapanas, we are directly handing over aid to the community in Surabaya. This is part of our commitment to ensure government aid truly reaches the people who need it,” he said. He explained that Bulog manages the entire process, from stock provision and logistics management to distribution to the beneficiaries, utilising its nationwide network. “With very adequate national rice stocks, we are ready to fully support the President’s directive so that food aid can be distributed immediately, right on target and on time to the people across Indonesia,” he added. Data from Lidah Kulon Urban Village indicated that 495 beneficiaries were targeted in the distribution, which covered the allocation for July, August, and September, with each beneficiary receiving a total of 30 kilograms of rice.