Indonesia launches rice assistance for 33.2 million beneficiaries

Medan (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan and state logistics company Bulog launched a rice assistance program in Asahan District, North Sumatra, on Saturday, with distributions set to continue nationwide through December 2026.

In a statement received in Medan, he said the government had allocated around one million tons of rice for the food assistance program, which targets 33.2 million beneficiaries across Indonesia.

Hasan also assured the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program would continue, with another one million tons of rice to be allocated for the market under the scheme.

The minister added the government uses the SPHP program to help maintain public access to affordable food during the lean season while keeping rice prices stable.

He also expressed satisfaction with the strong synergy between his ministry and Bulog in pursuing the government's goal of achieving self-sufficiency in several food commodities.

Head of Bulog's North Sumatra office, Darma Wijaya, said the agency is ready to support the implementation of the food assistance and SPHP programs by strengthening rice stocks and distribution networks.

"We will continue maximizing distribution to ensure that rice assistance reaches verified beneficiaries and that SPHP rice remains easily accessible to the public to help maintain supply and price stability," he said.

Earlier this month, Deputy Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Hanif Faisol Nurofiq noted that rice aid distribution would continue in October, targeting households in the four lowest socioeconomic groups identified in the government's socioeconomic database.

The program would be supported by a budget of Rp17.5 trillion (around US$970 million), he added.

Meanwhile, SPHP rice is sold at Rp12,500 (around US$0.7) per kilogram, with an additional one million tons allocated to the program through March 2027.

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Translator: M. Sahbainy, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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