Bulog Triples Rice Stock in Flood-Affected Regions

Enhanced Food Security Measures

Perum Bulog has announced plans to triple its rice stock in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra following severe flooding that has affected these regions. The decision was made in response to directives from Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, acting on behalf of President Prabowo Subianto. The primary objective is to strengthen food security in areas where distribution has been severely hampered by infrastructure damage caused by the floods.

Current Stock and Distribution Plans

As of now, Bulog's rice stock in Aceh stands at approximately 80,000 tons. The company plans to increase this stock threefold to ensure adequate food supplies in the affected regions. The distribution efforts are being complicated by the fact that many areas remain isolated due to damaged infrastructure. To overcome these challenges, Bulog is coordinating with military authorities to utilize air transport and helicopters for delivering food aid to these hard-to-reach areas.

Challenges in Distribution

The distribution process has been particularly challenging in regions such as Tapanuli Tengah in North Sumatra and Agam in West Sumatra, where roads have been completely cut off due to the flooding. In response, Bulog is working closely with local military commands to deploy helicopters for aid delivery. The company is also addressing the immediate needs of communities that have been without food for several days following the disaster.

Rationale Behind Stockpiling

Bulog's Director, Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, emphasized that the stockpiling of rice is a strategic move to prevent potential food shortages during emergencies. He highlighted that having substantial reserves allows the company to respond quickly to contingencies without relying on imports, thereby maintaining national food security. The current situation in the flood-affected regions serves as a testament to the importance of Bulog's role in managing the government's rice reserves.