Nganjuk, East Java - The price of unhusked rice (gabah) in Nganjuk Regency has dropped sharply to Rp5,700 per kilogram, significantly lower than the Government Purchasing Price (HPP) of Rp6,500/kg set by President Prabowo Subianto.
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| source: suarajatimpost.com |
Acting Head of Nganjuk Agriculture Office, Itsna Shofiani, through her secretary Ratih, confirmed that the issue has been discussed intensively between BULOG (National Logistics Agency) and local authorities.
"BULOG’s warehouses are currently full, and one of the drying machines is damaged. This isn’t about BULOG refusing farmers’ rice, but a storage capacity issue," Ratih stated in an official release on Tuesday (18/3/2025).
To address the crisis, 11 BULOG partners in Nganjuk and Kediri have been assigned to absorb farmers’ harvests. Ratih emphasized that BULOG has maximized efforts to stabilize prices in line with HPP, under the supervision of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Agricultural Field Officers (PPL).
List of BULOG’s Partners for Rice Absorption:
- UD Lingga Jaya (Kediri)
- UD Putra Kembar Jaya (Kediri)
- CV Siti Oetomo (Kediri)
- UD Guna Karya (Kediri)
- CV SP 88 (Kediri)
- UD Sumber Pangan (Kediri)
- UD Sumber Rezeki (Kediri)
- UD Barokah (Nganjuk)
- CV SBS (Kediri)
- UD Candirejo (Nganjuk)
- UD Padi Desa (Nganjuk)
Ratih warned that wet or dirty rice could reduce milling capacity by 50%, urging swift action to secure farmers’ stocks.
PPL Officer Rini added that the selling mechanism to BULOG partners is straightforward: farmers deliver their rice, which is then quality-checked before purchase. "Collaboration with TNI and PPL ensures the process is fast and transparent," she said.
The local government hopes this measure will mitigate farmers’ losses and stabilize rice supply. Officials urged farmers to remain calm and follow the designated procedures when selling to BULOG partners.