Selling Corn to Buy Rice

The rice crisis in NTT shows the weakness of food security. Many residents sell local food for a plate of rice.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Jual Jagung demi Beli Beras

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN

Large sales at the traditional Kaputu market in Manulea village, Sasitamean District, Malaka Regency, on Wednesday morning (31/1/2024).

The rice crisis in East Nusa Tenggara in the past month implies regional food vulnerability. Local food production is abundant, but people still look for rice. In fact, corn and tubers are sold to get rice

Until Wednesday (21/2/2024), the price of rice in several regions in NTT has continued to soar. In the interior of Timor, for example, rice is sold at the cheapest price of Rp 15,000 per kilogram. The quality of rice at that price is considered to be less than satisfactory. The rice is dirty and has an unpleasant aroma.

"Perhaps in a day or two, the prices will rise again. Many kiosks no longer have rice available. Some people are going to the city to look for rice, but the prices there are also high," said Nabas (55), resident of Manulea Village, Sasitamean District, Malaka Regency. The village in the interior of Timor is approximately 250 kilometers away from Kupang City."

The community in the hinterland is not reached by the market operations held by Bulog. Market operations only target urban areas. The price of rice sold by Bulog's partner merchants is Rp 11,500. The rice is cleaner.

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN

Rice and corn were sold at the traditional Kaputu market in Manulea village, Sasitamean sub-district, Malaka district, on Wednesday morning (31/1/2024).

If there is no rice, they don't want to eat.

According to Nabas, the local community who used to consume corn and tubers are now highly dependent on rice. "Especially the younger generation, they have no choice but to eat rice. If there is no rice, they will not eat," he said.

To buy rice, the community sells their harvest from the fields, such as corn and root vegetables. Some also sell livestock, such as chickens and pigs. Three kilograms of corn costing Rp 15,000 are exchanged for one kilogram of rice. However, the region that produces corn is also known for cultivating dry lands for agriculture.

Dina Soro from the Foundation for Strengthening Local Community Learning Circles (Pikul) stated that the lack of understanding among society has led to the continued dependence on rice. However, the carbohydrate content in local foods such as corn and tubers is actually better than rice.

"Rice has even higher sugar levels which can cause diabetes. Many diabetes sufferers now consume local foods instead of rice. Unfortunately, this is something that is not fully realized by the public," he said.

Also read: Food Disaster Alarm in NTT

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN

Residents of the Boti tribe harvested sweet potatoes from their garden near the Boti Village settlement, Kie District, South Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara on August 6, 2023.

To help the community understand the diversity of food, Pikul introduces a tool in the form of a table. The table contains information on various local food types and their nutritional content. This enables the public to comprehend the diversity of food.

According to Kompas, there are local communities that have consumed a variety of foods for generations. One of them is the Boti Tribe in Kie District, South Central Timor Regency. In one area, they grow rice, corn, bananas, tubers and beans.

However, that commitment is not in line with its implementation. In several government-hosted dining events, the mandatory dish is rice. Local menus such as boiled sweet potatoes or bananas are rarely found.

The food crops sustain them throughout the year. In the midst of rice crisis, like the one that is happening now, they are unaffected. Moreover, Boti Usif (Raja) Namah Benu, the leader, firmly refused any aid, either the poor rice program or Raskin, from the government.

Some time ago, the Head of Agriculture and Food Crops Department of NTT, F Lecky Koli, stated that the government is committed to promoting a diverse food consumption movement to reduce the community's dependence on rice.

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN

White rice became the main dish in the Reba celebration by the Ngada indigenous diaspora in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara, on Saturday evening (10/2/2024).

However, that commitment is not in line with its implementation. In several government-hosted dining events, the mandatory dish is rice. Local menus such as boiled sweet potatoes or bananas are rarely found.

However, the government is aware that the majority of rice needs in NTT are supplied from outside the region. Rice production in NTT in 2022 is only 430,948.5 tons, far below the demand which reaches 642,367.53 tons.

When realizing the fragility of food security in NTT, the community should be accustomed to consuming diverse food. Let there be no more selling of corn just to buy rice.

Also read: The King of Boti who Rejected Raskin