JAYAPURA - The Agriculture and Food Department of Papua Province announced the availability of rice reaching 62,776.97 tons in June 2022.

The stock is confirmed to be surplus because the needs of rice is only 2,635.53 tons.

"This means that the condition of the availability of rice in Papua is still stable and in a safe condition," Siriwa said at a press conference on the performance of the Papua Provincial Government in the Hall of the Papua Communication and Informatics Office on Tuesday.

However, Siriwa said, there are still certain food commodities such as onion and garlic that are still imported from outside Papua that have the potential to increase prices.

"These two commodities are imported from three regions, namely Makassar, Surabaya and Manado to meet food needs in 29 districts and cities in Papua".

"There is a tendency for the price to increase, but we have monitored so that we can take steps to anticipate it," he said.

He urged residents to remain calm and not panic then purchase on a large scale.

Because the current food stock is still quite fulfilled and sold at affordable prices. ***