Bulog Optimistic To Reach Rice Procurement Target

Palembang, S Sumatra, May 16 (Antara) - The state run board of logistics (Bulog) said it is optimistic it would reach its rice procurement target for this year. The South Sumatra branch of Bulog set rice procurement target at 95,000 tons this year, up from 74,000 tons last year, chief of the South Sumatra branch of Bulog, Bambang Napitapulu said here on Thursday. So far this year Bulog already procured 74,000 tons of rice from local farmers or the same as the procurement in the whole of last year, he said. The rice was bought from farmers in main rice producing districts in the province including the districts of Banyuasin, Musi Banyuasin, Ogan Komering Ilir, Ogan Komering Ulu Timur and Musirawas, Bambang said. He said he is optimistic Bulog would face no much difficulty in reaching its rice procurement target this year. Bulog paid Rp6,600 per kilogram of in line with the standard price, he said. The South Sumatra branch of Bulog already holds stock of rice enough to cover the province`s requirement for 11.7 months, he said. He said distribution of rice for the poor (Raskin) had been 70 percent completed and it is expected to be fully completed by the end of this month.