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The government has prepared around two million tons of rice to maintain people's purchasing power and hold off rising food prices during the dry season and the lean season.

Coordinating Minister for Food and Agriculture Zulkifli Hasan said that the increase in the prices of a number of basic necessities was beginning to be seen as the dry season.

"Because now it's the dry season, the famine season, prices are starting to rise a little. Therefore, the government is taking steps to deal with this condition," said Zulkifli during a working visit to South Lampung, as quoted by Antara, Friday, September 11.

One of the steps taken is to complete the rice food assistance for the period of July, August, and September. Each recipient receives 10 kilograms per month or a total of 30 kilograms

"It should be July, August, September, 10 kilograms, but now September we will finish it at once 30 kilograms," he said.

The assistance targets around 33.2 million beneficiaries in the desil 1 to desil 4 groups.

The government will also distribute rice assistance for the October, November, and December periods. The same beneficiaries will receive a total of 30 kilograms.

"This means that there will be another one million tons to be divided in October or November at once 30 kilograms," said Zulkifli.

In addition to food assistance, the government has prepared around one million tons of subsidized rice to be sold through traditional markets from October to December.

This rice is intended for people who are still able to buy, but need a more affordable price. The government targets a selling price of around IDR 12,000 to IDR 12,500 per kilogram.

In addition to rice, the government has also prepared around 380 thousand tons of subsidized flour at a price of around Rp. 11,000 per kilogram.

The flour is intended to support kue artisans and micro, small, and medium business actors.

"Because these cake artisans can't import rice anymore, we'll lower the price. There are 380 thousand tons that will be immediately prepared to make cakes and various community businesses," said Zulkifli.

The policy is aimed at increasing food supplies, keeping prices affordable, and maintaining people's purchasing power during the dry season.

Source : voi