Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has assured that the security of rice supply for March, April, and May 2024, easing concerns over food shortages during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr "According to the BPS data, our rice needs for March, April, and May are in good condition. However, for June's needs, we can calculate from the current planting season (March)," he said on Saturday (9/3/2024), referring to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). The BPS data showed the harvest season for farmers in February and March this year, as reported by antaranews.com Minister Amran said that at least 1 million hectares of land should be cultivated now to secure rice stocks for the next three months. The planting calculations are one million hectares for March, April, and May. "We must plant a minimum of one million hectares per month, which means production could reach 3 to 3.5 million tons. Meanwhile, our demand is only 2.5 million tons. This means we have a surplus of rice," he explained. Minister Amran noted that the abundant production this year is expected to significantly lower rice prices in the market. However, he hopes this decrease won't affect farmers' income. "The price of rice will definitely drop in March. I guarantee it will decrease. If anyone says rice is expensive today, it has already decreased, I can assure you," he added. Separately, Mokhamad Suyamto, the Director of Supply Chain and Public Services at Perum Bulog, confirmed that the Government Rice Reserve is currently sufficient to meet distribution needs during the holy month of Ramadan until Eid al-Fitr. "The government's rice reserve controlled by Bulog is currently 1.4 million tons, and there is still leftover import assignment quota for this year of 1.5 million tons. So, the quantity is more than enough for distribution needs during fasting and Eid," he said. Furthermore, according to Suyamto, the rice stock in Bulog's warehouses can meet the distribution needs for the supply and price stabilization program (SPHP) distributed to wholesale markets, traditional markets, and modern retail. Bulog's rice stock can also meet the distribution of rice aid targeting 22 million beneficiary families planned until June 2024. (mg/inp/pr/nm)