Zulhas: Government Does Not Want the Public to Face Drought and Lean Seasons Alone

The government is accelerating the distribution of food assistance to help the public face the long drought and lean periods. In Lampung Province, 1,242,582 food assistance recipients (PBP) are targeted for the July-September 2026 programme period.

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas), stated that the government continues to ensure that assistance is received by the public immediately. “The government does not want the public to face the drought and lean season alone. Food assistance must promptly reach those in need,” Zulkifli said in a written statement.

This was conveyed during a direct inspection of the food assistance distribution in Pisang Village, South Lampung Regency, on Friday (11/9). The distribution was also attended by the President Director of BULOG, Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani.

Of the total 1,242,582 recipients in Lampung, the realisation of food assistance distribution currently stands at 28.85%. Meanwhile, in South Lampung Regency, there are 182,398 recipients with a distribution realisation of 19.37%.

Specifically in Pisang Village, assistance was provided to 233 recipients. The total assistance distributed reached 6.9 tonnes of rice, equivalent to 30 kilograms of rice per recipient for the July-September 2026 period.

The government is encouraging accelerated distribution so that all food assistance for the September period can be received optimally and accurately, particularly for families within the 1st to 4th decile groups.

Government Increases Rice and Maize Stocks

In addition to accelerating distribution, the government is also strengthening interventions to maintain food supply and price stability during the drought and lean season. The government has increased the allocation for the Stabilisation of Food Supply and Prices (SPHP) of medium-grade rice by 1 million tonnes until March 2027. Furthermore, 150,000 tonnes of SPHP maize for feed have been prepared until December 2026.

This policy is implemented to ensure that food supplies remain available while anticipating potential price increases due to production and distribution pressures. “What we are protecting is not just the availability of rice, but also the purchasing power of the people. Therefore, food assistance and supply stabilisation must run hand in hand,” said Zulhas.

Food Assistance to Continue Until Year-End

The government also ensured that food assistance will continue for the October-December 2026 period following instructions from the President. The continuity of this programme is part of the government’s strategy to maintain social protection and food security amidst economic dynamics and food production conditions.

The Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs also continues to strengthen synergy with ministries, agencies, local governments, BULOG, and all stakeholders. This step is taken to ensure that the food stabilisation programme runs effectively, accurately, and responsively to changing conditions on the ground.