Bulog Prepare 2.250 Tonnes of Rice

The Logistics Agency (Bulog), Central Kalimantan division, has prepared 2,250 tons of rice for market operation in anticipation of a price hike of the main staple.

"We planned to sell 2,250 tons of rice through a market operation when entering the time of scarcity before harvest," Central Kalimantan Bulog spokesman Dani Satrio said in Palangkaraya Friday.

He said the price of rice at wholesale and retail level in the market had started to increase since earlier this year. The price of medium quality rice monitored by Bulog reached Rp 4,900 per kilogram in January 2009, and up to July increased to Rp 5,150 per kilogram.

In the meantime, the rice stock managed by Bulog in the province by July 31 reached 5,543 tons, which was still relatively safe for the next 3.7 months in meeting the needs of 14 regencies/cities. Dani said the stock will be constantly raised with a view to reaching self-sufficiency in the next four to five months.(from: PALANGKARAYA, KOMPAS.com)