During the COVID-19 pandemic, each hectare only received six sacks of subsidized fertilizer. Thus, Jufri had no choice but to buy eight sacks of non-subsidized fertilizer, which cost 300 percent more.
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KOMPAS TEAM
·4 minutes read
Kompas/Priyombodo
Activists check rice imported from Vietnam with State Logistics Agency (Bulog) labels on it from Singapore Bulker ship at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta on Wednesday (14/2). The imported rice is brought to the Bulog Jakarta-Banten Storehouse in Kelapa Gading. As much as 281,000 tons of imported rice has arrived at some ports across the country.
MAROS, KOMPAS — Several farmers in South Sulawesi were hit by one disaster after another. Not only has the COVID-19 pandemic caused the economy to turn sluggish, but it has also made it difficult for farmers to find additional work while waiting for the harvest period. Now, their lives have become more difficult after the prices of unhulled rice dropped.
The farmers expressed hope that the government would prioritize the absorption of their crops and call off the plan to import 1 million tons of rice in order for the prices of unhulled rice to improve by the next harvest season. This hope was conveyed by farmers from several regions, who met with Kompas, Friday (19/3/2021).
Baharuddin, a farmer in Simbuang, Maros, South Sulawesi said that farmers had lost enthusiasm as they harvest. “We hope the government does something about it. Our lives revolve around expensive fertilizers, falling prices during big harvests, and debts owed to middlemen,” he said.
However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, each hectare only received six sacks of subsidized fertilizer.
Currently, traders purchase dry grains harvested by farmers in Maros at Rp 4,400 per kilogram, down from Rp 4,500 per kg previously. Another farmer, M. Jufri (45), said that during the planting season they needed 14 sacks of fertilizer per hectare of rice field. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, each hectare only received six sacks of subsidized fertilizer. Thus, Jufri had no choice but to buy eight sacks of non-subsidized fertilizer, which cost 300 percent more.
In most agricultural areas in Demak, Central Java – including Demak, Dempet, Wonosalam and Kebonagung districts – farmers have finished their harvests and are preparing for the next planting season. A farmer in Solowire village, Kebonagng, Sahil (52), said his area had finished their harvests from the end of February to early March 2021 and were able to enjoy a fairly good price of dry unhulled rice, at between Rp 4,100 and Rp 4,200 per kg.
KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI
President director of state logistic company Bulog Budi Waseso (center) explains a number of work plans to journalists in Jakarta on Monday, May. 14, 2018. Bulog will strengthen its rice and unhusked rice procurement network through partnerships with a number of farmer groups and institutions, including the the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police.
Andalan Fishermen and Farmers Community (KTNA) Grobogan district deputy chairman Hardiono has urged the government to cancel rice imports. “We understand that the government wants to ensure the stock. However, Bulog [the State Logistics Agency] should prioritize absorbing the farmers’ rice first,” he said.
In East Java, as usual, the harvest period begins from its western regions, such as Ngawi, Ponorogo and Madiun, followed by its northern regions, such as Bojonegoro and Lamongan, and then its eastern regions to Banyuwangi. KTNA Bojonegoro secretary Tri Untari (57) said that currently, farmers’ prices have dropped to a range of Rp 3,000-3,300 per kg. Previously, farmers saw prices of Rp 4,600-4,700 per kg. “The drop in prices were a great disappointment,” she said.
Securing stock
Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi in Jakarta, Friday, guaranteed that the government would not import rice during the main harvest. The option to import was only chosen as an alternative for the government to secure iron stock of 1 million to 1.5 million tons at state-run logistics firm Perum Bulog.
The Trade Ministry has considered three things related to rice imports. Firstly, the Bulog’s rice stock at the beginning of the year; secondly, the production forecast by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS); and thirdly, the price of rice. “If the harvest has been good, then the Bulog will of course include it in the stock from domestic procurement. But the figures have to be clear: the Bulog must have a stock of 1 million to 1.5 million tons,” he said.
Based on estimated production data released by BPS, the Bulog hopes to absorb 500,000 tons of homegrown rice over the next three months.
As of March 14, 2021, rice stock managed by the Bulog reached 883,585 tons, of which 859,877 tons were iron stock. Based on estimated production data released by BPS, the Bulog hopes to absorb 500,000 tons of homegrown rice over the next three months.
Kompas/Raditya Helabumi
The Trade Ministry and State Logistics Company Perum Bulog held a rice market operation in a number of areas, including at Senen Market, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (9/1). Perum Bulog expanded market operation to 1,800 spots across Indonesia to maintain price stability and availability of supply. In the market operation, medium rice is sold at Rp 9,300 per kilogram.
East Java Bulog regional office head Khozin said his party was optimizing the absorption of 1,300 tons of grains per day for farmers. “Our targeted absorption will be increased to 1,500 tons to 2,000 tons of rice equivalent per day starting next week because the harvest is widespread. The total uptake by farmers in the main harvesting season is 200,000 tons of rice equivalent,” said Khozin.
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