Rp 720b for rice purchases

JAKARTA (JP): The National Logistics Agency (Bulog) has set aside Rp 720 billion (US$84.7 million) to finance rice procurement from farmers, industry and trade minister Rahardi Ramelan told reporters on Tuesday.

Rahardi, who is also acting chief of Bulog, told Antara that rice harvests this year started earlier than the normal April normal schedule due to the rainy season.

He said each of Bulog's branches in the provinces was authorized to procure 100,000 tons of dry paddy (unhusked rice).