Government Extends Food Assistance Until June 2024

Jakarta – The Indonesian government to extend the distribution period for food assistance from January until June 2024. This was decided by President Joko Widodo at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday. 

"President (Jokowi) has approved to extend food assistance in 2024 from January to June," Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said in a press statement after attending the limited meeting. 

The food assistance in the form of rice is given to around 22 million beneficiary families (KPM) who each receive 10 kilograms each month.

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Presiden Jokowi berikan bantuan pangan kepada keluarga penerima manfaat (KPM)

Photo :

• Biro Pers, Media dan Informasi Sekretariat Presiden

In addition to rice assistance, the government also distributed stunting assistance to 1.45 million stunting-prone families (KRS). KRS data comes from the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN).

"Stunting assistance amounts to IDR 446.242 billion per quarter, so the total is around IDR 892 billion in the first semester of next year," the Minister stated. 

Regarding the realization of food aid distribution in 2023, Minister Hartarto said that in September 94.95 percent and October 94.89 percent had been distributed. Meanwhile, in November until the 5th, the distribution realization reached 18.45 percent.

"The distribution of food aid in September was 94.95 percent, October 94.89 percent, November 18.45 [percent], and we still have December. So in September around 201 thousand (tons) were distributed, as well as in October," the Minister remarked. 

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Menko Perekonomian Airlangga Hartarto.

Photo :

• Anisa Aulia/VIVA.

Regarding the availability of national rice stocks, until 2 November 2023 rice stocks at Bulog reached 1.44 million tons. Airlangga also said that Bulog needs an additional budget of around IDR 19.1 trillion, Minister Hartarto continued. 

The additional budget consists of the distribution of the first phase of IDR 7.9 trillion, the second phase of IDR p8.4 trillion, and the budget for distribution and others amounting to IDR 2.8 trillion.

"Earlier, the President directed the Minister of Finance to immediately settle Bulog's bills, which have accumulated to IDR 16 trillion," Minister Hartarto remarked. 

As for the incentives to be provided, Airlangga said that the government will bear the import duty on rice at a certain rate of IDR 450 per kilogram. The Government Borne Import Duty (BMDTP) will be provided by the Ministry of Finance.

"The Food Agency will prepare for the BMDTP which will be provided by the Ministry of Finance," 

Meanwhile, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan said that the government's current rice stock is still in a safe condition. According to him, imported rice for the government's rice stock will continue to enter until January.

"So our rice stock will reach almost two million tons. So the stock is safe," Minister Hasan said. 

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Regarding the availability of national rice stocks, until 2 November 2023 rice stocks at Bulog reached 1.44 million tons. Airlangga also said that Bulog needs an additional budget of around IDR 19.1 trillion, Minister Hartarto continued.