Minister Sulaiman Urges Bulog to Stop Using Corn Imports

Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, revealed that he no longer recommend corn imports and suggest Bulog and feed entrepreneurs, who are part of the Livestock Food Business Association, to prioritize locally produced crops.

"We must help farmers so that their harvest can be maximized," said the Minister during the Coordination Meeting for Anticipating the Corn Harvest Festival at the Ministry of Agriculture Headquarters in Jakarta on Thursday.

Minister Sulaiman stated that the current price of corn for farmers could touch IDR 2,500 per kilogram, while the government's purchase price (HPP) is set at IDR 4,200 per kg.

According to the Minister, corn price has dropped because the harvest was currently in the middle. Hence, it's the right time for Bulog and entrepreneurs to assist farmers to get certainty regarding absorptionnof corn.

"The corn association should go directly to the farmers, and Bulog also directly to the farmers. So, in the future, prices will rise again. Our dream is for the farmers to make a profit, the traders to smile and happy," the Minister remarked.

Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), national corn production from January to April is estimated to reach 5.3 million tons. The peak harvest occurs in March, reaching 2.3 million tons.

Therefore, Minister Sulaiman requested that Bulog maximize its absorption. At least 500 thousand tons of farmers' corn can be utilized quickly.

The Minister also instructed all Heads of Agricultural Services in Indonesia to oversee this year's corn harvest festival so that there will be no more import policies in the future.

For the Minister, imports are not the solution because farmers are currently crying out for price certainty and stability.

"I command to care for farmers who continue to produce. It's time to help farmers," Minister Sulaiman said.

In addition, the Director General of Crop Plants at the Ministry of Agriculture, Suwandi, stated that there are currently approximately one million ton of corn produced by farmers that need to be quickly absorbed.

"The corn centers that currently need to be harvested are located in East Java, Central Java, Lampung, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and West Sulawesi. All must be utilized to benefit the farmers," Suwandi concluded.