Ahead of Ramadan, City Government Ensures Safe Rice Stock and Provides Cheap Food

This was stated by the Assistant for Economy and Development for the City of Bandung, Eric M. Attauriq at the Bandung City Hall, Thursday 15 February 2024. "Month to month (m-to-m) inflation for Bandung City in January 2024 is 0.10 percent. There are several commodities that experienced an increase in the third week of February. Such as medium rice, premium rice, red cayenne pepper, green cayenne pepper, chili "curly red chilies, red chilies, curly green chilies, shallots, purebred chicken meat, purebred chicken eggs and potatoes," said Eric. Medium rice rose from IDR 14,000 to IDR 14,700, an increase from the highest retail price (HET) of 34.9 percent. Premium rice increased from IDR 15,500 to IDR 16,200, an increase from the HET of 16.5 percent. Then, the price of purebred chicken meat increased from IDR 35,400 to IDR 37,700, an increase from the HET of 2.6 percent. Purebred chicken eggs increased from IDR 27,400 to IDR 28,800, an increase from the HET of 6.7 percent "Corn prices have also started to rise. We have to anticipate that meat prices could increase further," he said. He added that the stock of rice commodities in Bandung City is currently still considered safe. Eric explained, based on data from Bulog, as of February 12 2024, the city of Bandung had 4,298,404 kg (4,298 tonnes) of medium rice and 33,539 kg of premium rice. "This rice is available in 17 traditional markets throughout Bandung City. The largest stock is at Balubur Market, amounting to 23.5 tons," he said. Then, to reduce inflation and meet people's basic needs ahead of Ramadan, the Bandung City Government plans to start intensive market operations, cheap markets and the cheap food movement starting February 19 2024. "We will schedule intensive activities for Market Operations, Cheap Markets and Cheap Food Movements from February 19 to March. There will be 30 Market Operations and Cheap Markets, as well as 39 Cheap Food Movements," he continued. Responding to this, Acting Head of the Bandung City Trade and Industry Service (Disdagin), Ronny Ahmad Nurudin, appealed to the public not to panic about the information circulating about the scarcity of rice in a number of retail stores. To maintain the availability of rice in retail stores, sales of Medium Market Price Stabilized Rice (SPHP) rice will be optimized in retail stores. Currently, only a few retailers are selling SPHP medium rice, such as Hyfresh, Superindo and Transmart. "People don't need to panic about the presence of rice in retail stores. At Transmart and Superindo rice is already available. Then, we also provide 16 tons of rice at Indomaret and 30 tons at Yogya Group. Retail stores are not allowed to sell more than the HET," explained Ronny. He said, every Thursday, his team conducts price surveys at 8 traditional markets in Bandung City, including Kosambi Market, Simple, Palasari, Astanaanyar, Kiaracondong, Cihaurgulis, Ujungberung, and Pasar Baru. "The average price of medium rice in traditional markets is currently IDR 14,500 - IDR 15,500. The average price of premium rice in traditional markets is IDR 15,500 - IDR 17,000. Meanwhile the HET for medium rice is IDR 10,900/kg and the HET for rice premium IDR 13,900/kg," he said. The factor for the increase in rice prices is due to insufficient rice production. Based on Sample Area Framework (KSA) data as of December 2023, rice production in January-March 2024 was around 2.82 million tonnes lower than in the same period last year. "BMKG also predicts that El Nino conditions will last until February 2024," he added. Ronny added that Medium Rice Market Operations will be carried out in 30 sub-districts. Each sub-district receives an allocation of 10 tons or 2,000 packs of rice from Perum Bulog Bandung. "One pack weighs 5 kg. Except for several sub-districts, 20 tons will be allocated," he admitted. The price for Medium Rice Market Operations is IDR 10,600/kg or IDR 53,000/pack. The condition is that one resident can buy a maximum of two packs of rice by including the KTP of local sub-district residents. The implementation of the Cheap Market will be carried out simultaneously with the Medium Rice Market Operation. Commodities provided include SPHP medium rice, cooking oil, wheat flour, white sugar, chicken eggs, beef, chicken meat, processed chicken meat, onions, garlic and vegetables. "Unlike Market Operations, the Cheap Market is open to the public, you don't have to show your KTP," he said. Meanwhile, the Head of the Bandung City Food Security and Agriculture Service (DKPP), Gin Gin Ginanjar, said that the Cheap Food Movement will facilitate expensive types of food through its distribution. "We help with transportation costs so that the price of the food provided is cheaper because it comes directly from the producer," said Gin Gin. The plan is for 32 points to be funded from the APBD. Then there is assistance from the province at five points and Bapenas supports two points. (din)**

Head of the Bandung City Communication and Information Office

Yayan A. Brilyana