Agricom.id, JAKARTA – Chairman of Social Economic of Agriculture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gajah Mada (UGM), Jangkung Handoyo Mulyo supports what ministry of agriculture does to muffle the price intervene when corna virus (Covid – 19) attacks.

He thought that ministry of agriculture has taken the right one by monitoring the price and supply directly in the markets. It is efficient to make sure that the food stock would be distributed fast and accurately. On the other hand, this is effective to monitor those who may pile up (the products).

“The monitoring result showed that the massive harvest in March and April could help the food condition (supply) nationally. Besides, the monitoring would increase the market confidence that the stocks are available and this is the positive signal to minimize the food speculation,” he said, Wednesday, (25/3/2020), as in the official statement to Agricom.id.

Until now there are 11 commodities that the government intensively monitors, they are, rice, corn, union, garlic, big red chili, cayenne paper, cow or buffalo meat, hen meat, egg, sugar, and cooking oil.

“Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo came to the rice warehouse in Food Station Tjipinang Raya to see the rice availability. The visit convinced the government that the rice stocks are available for the next months,” he said.

In the visit some time ago, Minister Syahrul ensured that the stocks of rice until April 2020 could be reaching 3 million tons. The stocks are enough and could fulfill the needs when the people are in social distancing because of Covid – 19 spread within Work from Home (WFH).

Besides Minister Syahrul, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) directly saw the rice stocks in the warehouse of PT. Badan Urusan Logistik (Bulog). The president asked for the stocks in this year could fulfill the people’s needs.

"The check of rice stocks is the right one to do. In this case, the president want to make the people not panic because the food is the sensitive issue that that something to do with the stability of economy and politics. It is better if the people should not worry that there would be food rareness. It is hoped to reduce and prevent the panic buying,” he said. (A2)