DIGIVESTASI - The Chairwoman of the Indonesian House of Representatives' Commission IV, Siti Hediati Hariyadi, also known as Titiek Soeharto, revealed that the price of rice paddy in Bantul Regency, DI Yogyakarta, has dropped drastically, reaching only Rp 5,500 per kilogram (kg). This is in contrast to the Government Purchase Price (HPP), which is currently set at Rp 6,500 per kg. The HPP price was previously set at Rp 6,000 per kg, effective from January 15, 2025. Titiek made the statement during a harvest visit to Bantul Regency with the Minister of Agriculture on Wednesday (15/1/2025).

"It is very unfortunate that during the harvest, the price of rice paddy actually dropped, while the price that should comply with the HPP is Rp 6,500, but here it is only Rp 5,500," Titiek said in her statement released on Thursday (16/1/2025).

In response, Titiek urged the National Food Logistics Agency (Bulog) to immediately absorb the rice paddy from farmers based on the established HPP. According to her, Bulog's absorption of rice paddy is crucial to maintaining price stability at the farmer level.

"We from the DPR (House of Representatives) urge Bulog to carry out its task of absorbing as much rice paddy as is produced by the farmers, so that their hard work will not be in vain and that government assistance can be enjoyed to the fullest," she emphasized.

At the same occasion, Titiek also expressed appreciation to the farmers for their hard work. She also revealed the government's support in providing production facilities and infrastructure, which has positively impacted harvest results, averaging around 7.7 tons per hectare.

"Farmer groups have now received assistance such as combine harvesters and fertilizers, and the results are reflected in the relatively large harvest, which is 7.7 tons per hectare," she added.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, stated that the rice paddy price set at Rp 5,500 per kg, as seen in Bantul Regency, could potentially harm farmers with losses amounting to Rp 25 trillion. This is due to the price difference of Rp 1,000 per kg from the prevailing HPP.

"A difference of Rp 1,000 per kg is very significant, especially because our harvest target is 25 million tons. This means that farmers could lose income up to Rp 25 trillion if the price of rice paddy remains below the HPP during the peak harvest season," he explained.

Amran also added that the budget allocated by the government for the food sector to assist farmers could be wasted if this situation continues. Therefore, he emphasized the importance of maximizing rice paddy absorption to avoid significant losses.

He also reminded Perum Bulog to immediately absorb rice paddy and rice at the maximum level according to the established HPP, as a follow-up to President Prabowo Subianto's instructions.

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