Indonesia Announces $819 Million Rice Aid Program for 18.2 Million Families
Jakarta, Indonesia - The Indonesian government will launch a substantial rice aid program aimed at supporting 18.2 million families across the nation, Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan announced Friday. The initiative, budgeted at Rp13.9 trillion (approximately $819 million USD), will distribute 10 kilograms of rice per month to eligible households over a four-month period.
The program’s duration was determined following direction from President Prabowo Subianto, Hasan stated during a coordination meeting in Jakarta. Deliveries will be phased, with 20 kilograms of rice provided in two installments: September-October and November-December.
According to arief Prasetyo Adi, head of the National Food Agency, the Rp13.9 trillion budget encompasses all operational costs associated with the program. Recipient data will be sourced from the national Social and Economic Single Data Center, and is currently undergoing refinement to account for recent demographic changes.”There have been corrections related to deaths and other causes.Adjustments will continue to ensure accurate distribution,” Adi explained.
The rice aid program is part of a broader economic stimulus package recently unveiled by the government. This package includes initiatives ranging from paid internships for new graduates to extended tax incentives,slated to run through 2025. While the total budget for the stimulus package is still being finalized with the Finance minister,Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto confirmed it will encompass eight core programs and four supplementary measures,all expected to be implemented by the end of the year.
Looking ahead, the government anticipates a positive outlook for domestic rice production. Deputy Agriculture Minister Sudaryono projected a surplus of 3.5 million tons of rice in 2025, suggesting Indonesia will be able to meet its needs without relying on imports.
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Keywords: Indonesia, rice aid, food security, economic stimulus, Prabowo Subianto, Zulkifli Hasan, National Food Agency, Bulog, rice production, economic package, social welfare.
