ID :
102819
Wed, 01/27/2010 - 09:27
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/102819
The shortlink copeid
GOVT MULLING MARKET OPERATIONS TO STABILIZE RICE PRICES
Jakarta, Jan 26 (ANTARA) - The government is mulling nationwide market operations to stabilize rice prices which have steadily increased in several parts of the country since the past few weeks, an official said.
"We will conduct market operations until rice prices are stable. But we also have to keep vigilant because harvest time will soon arrive. The belated harvest time will give rise to rice oversupplies in April and May that may put pressure on rice prices," Deputy Agriculture Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi said on Tuesday.
He said several factors had caused rice prices to soar in recent weeks although in general rice production showed no signs of problems.
The current increase in rice prices was the result of the belated harvest time because of heavy rains in several parts of the country, he said.
"Nearly 10-15 percent of areas in Indonesia sees belated harvest time, causing rice prices to increase," he said.
Quoting the results of a survey, he said a number of provinces, including East Java, Central Java and West Java were expected to see harvest time in mid-February.
The rice price hike was also triggered by the government-set purchase price and poor inter insular rice shipment because of large waves, he said.
He said several provinces, including Yogyakarta, West Nusa Tenggara, and Jakarta had already launched market operations.
The subsidized rice sold in the market operations was Rp200-Rp500 lower than the normal prices and the government did not set a target of selling rice through the market operations, he said.
"The important thing is that the prices will not go up because in the past month they have been raised by an average of Rp1,000 a kg," he said.
"We will conduct market operations until rice prices are stable. But we also have to keep vigilant because harvest time will soon arrive. The belated harvest time will give rise to rice oversupplies in April and May that may put pressure on rice prices," Deputy Agriculture Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi said on Tuesday.
He said several factors had caused rice prices to soar in recent weeks although in general rice production showed no signs of problems.
The current increase in rice prices was the result of the belated harvest time because of heavy rains in several parts of the country, he said.
"Nearly 10-15 percent of areas in Indonesia sees belated harvest time, causing rice prices to increase," he said.
Quoting the results of a survey, he said a number of provinces, including East Java, Central Java and West Java were expected to see harvest time in mid-February.
The rice price hike was also triggered by the government-set purchase price and poor inter insular rice shipment because of large waves, he said.
He said several provinces, including Yogyakarta, West Nusa Tenggara, and Jakarta had already launched market operations.
The subsidized rice sold in the market operations was Rp200-Rp500 lower than the normal prices and the government did not set a target of selling rice through the market operations, he said.
"The important thing is that the prices will not go up because in the past month they have been raised by an average of Rp1,000 a kg," he said.
