Jakarta: President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has said that the government faces a dilemma in maintaining a balance in rice prices because farmers demand high prices to increase their profit, while consumers need affordable prices.
He made the statement while handing over rice assistance to beneficiary families in Labuhanbatu, North Sumatra, on Friday.
“It is hard for us. If rice prices decline, farmers complain to me. However, if rice prices rise, mothers complain to me,” he remarked in a written statement issued by the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat.
The President noted that managing food for Indonesia’s population of 270 million is not an easy task for the government.
He said there are challenges in producing rice, including climate conditions, to meet the annual demand of 31 million tons.
“If the production from farmers is high, we are calm. However, if like previously, the dry season was long, planting will be delayed or it will be too wet, the rain will be too heavy, some will be flooded,” he added.
President Jokowi further said that the geographical diversity of Indonesia, which is spread across 17 thousand islands, has contributed to the complexity of food distribution and handling nationwide.
“Indonesia is a very large country, very large. If the population of other countries is 10 million, 20 million, it is easier. Ours is 270 million, spread over 17 thousand islands from Sabang to Merauke, from Miangas to Rote Island. This is Indonesia,” he highlighted.
He said that the rice assistance provided by the government since January this year will continue until June. However, its continuity will depend on the availability of the state budget, he added.
“If the state budget allows it, after June, it will be continued. However, I do not make any promises; my promise is only until June,” he said.
