Agricom.id, BOGOR – Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL) and Chief of President’s Staff, Moeldoko monitored the food stocks in every province through video conference with the heads of agency in every province. Facing the latest situation in Indonesia and the spread of corona virus (Covid-19), Ministry of Agriculture through Toko Tani Indonesia Center (TTIC) or Pasar Mitra Tani in every province ensured that the distribution and the availability of food stocks should run well to know and monitor the food price.

“General Moeldoko and I want to tell that President Jokowi really cares about the people by mobilizing every element and power in each ministry and institution to provide the people’s needs,” Syahrul said in the launching of Toko Tani to serve the people during the pandemic of Covid-19 in Bogor, Tuesday (14/04/2002), as in the official statement to Agricom.id.

SYL also told that TTIC is here to fulfill the people’s food needs and answer the agriculture issues. Besides 11 main daily needs, you could find kinds of fish, vegetables, and spices in TTIC.

“We encourage TTIC as the solution to connect the interests and the needs of the citizens of Indonesia with the available foods,” he said.

On the other hand, he also emphasized that the food stocks until the fasting days and after Idul Fitri 2020 are in good condition. Though the epidemic of Covid-19 still hits, the farmers excitedly do harvest and ministry of agriculture would help to accelerate the production.

“In every single day, the harvest keeps running in many regions in Indonesia. The peak has been running since March, April, and in May 2020. After the harvest, we would accelerate the planting process. This is about to anticipate the next challenges,” he explained.

Ministry of agriculture predicted that the massive harvest in April would cover about 1,73 million hectares (ha). The government would anticipate so that the grain price in the farmers’ level would not cheaper than the government purchasing price (GPP).

“The peak in April would cover about 1,73 million ha within the production reaching 5,27 million tons of rice and in May, the harvest would be about 1,38 million ha or equal to 3,81 million tons of rice. The areas in May would be larger than those in last March.

In the harvest peak, ministry of agriculture would anticipate to stabilize the price. One solution to do is the Kostraling (Komando Startegi Penggilingan Padi), which is, the approach of KUR (kredit usaha rakyat). The average price in the farmers’ level is Rp 4.600/Kg. But based on the Regulation of Minister of Trade No. 24 / 2020, the GPP for the harvested dry grain in the farmers’ level would be Rp 4.200/Kg and it could be cheaper in the peak harvest.

"We urged that the regional governments should immediately get the KUR, monitor the price so that the price is not cheaper than GPP. We should maintain the food stocks, and welfare the farmers,” he said.

In the same chance, Moeldoko really appreciated the TTIC for it could connect the farmers and the people. He thought that this could be the spirit for the farmers to plant many horticulture commodities, paddy, and others.

“I do appreciate TTIC. Toko Tani could be real solution. I think that this is the bridge between the producers and the consumers,” Moeldoko said.

He also mentioned that TTIC has the well-controlled price. The consumer could enjoy when shopping. The third side would also get the benefits, such as, online drivers (riders).

"The online drivers (riders) would get enough income. So once more, this is the very good solution,” he said.

He hoped that ministry of agriculture and heads of agencies in Indonesia could develop the existence of TTIC. He thought that this would be incredible if TTIC is available in many districts.

“Keep in mind, the clean circumstance is the prior to handle the Covid. The people should be safe from this virus. The president has done anything to keep the people healthy,” he ended. (A2)