- Antara
Jakarta, 4 Maret 2024 – The National Food Agency of Indonesia (Bapanas) is preparing for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday by ensuring the availability of 12 staple food commodities.
"From the government's food reserves, these 12 commodities will be released intensively in the lead-up to Ramadan, throughout Ramadan, and Eid al-Fitr," said Rachmi Widiriani, Director of Distribution and Food Reserves at Bapanas in FMB9 event.
The 12 commodities include rice, corn, soybeans, shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, bird's eye chili, beef/buffalo, chicken, chicken eggs, sugar, and cooking oil.
Bapanas is also encouraging all provincial, district, and city governments to implement a cheap food movement (GPM).
"So people can get or buy food ingredients in areas where they are holding GPM," said Rachmi.
Rachmi emphasized that the prices of commodities sold at GPM are controlled by the government, as they involve food reserves and government partners, both from associations and state-owned enterprises.
"The prices are definitely more affordable. This is to make it easier for people to get food, especially these 12 (commodities) before and during Eid al-Fitr," said Rachmi.
In a Coordination Meeting for Eid al-Fitr 1445 Hijriah, the Head of Bapanas, Arief Prasetyo Adi, said that the first thing that regional governments must do is to carry out a cheap food movement (GPM) in synergy with Perum Bulog and a number of food associations in each region.
The second thing that needs to be done is to synergize with the Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID). And the third is monitoring market prices in both the main market, traditional market, and modern retail market.
"So that we can all make sure that these prices are true, not too high, because usually just before Eid al-Fitr the prices go up," said Arif.
