JAYAPURA - The Papua Provincial Government released data about rice stocks to the Logistics Affairs Agency on October 16, 2023. Based on data from the Regional Logistics Affairs Agency of Papua and West Papua which is estimated to be able to last for the next 5.1 months.

This was conveyed by the Head of the Papua Communication and Informatics Agency, Jeri A. Yudianto, in Jayapura, Monday (10/16/2023).

"The estimated operational rice stock of the Logistics Affairs Agency in mid-October (2023) reaches 12,439 tons. An amount of 2,431 tons of rice per month will be distributed. So, the total of rice stocks is safe for more than five months," explained Jeri.  

According to him, of the total operational rice stock, 2,959 tons are in the Jayapura Regional Office. Then 236 tons at the Branch Office of Biak and 2,019 tons at the Sub-Branch Office of Serui.

"So 5,215 tons of the total rice is available in warehouses in the three regions. This amount will later be supported by rice that is still in transit amounting to 2,808 tons."

"There will be 4,900 tons of rice. So it can be ensured that the supply of our rice stocks is safe," he explained.

In this regard, Jeri appealed to the residents of Papua not to worry about the resilience of existing rice. Because the existing stock will be until Christmas and New Year 2024.  On the other hand, residents can also use other foods from tubers and sago.

"No need to worry about rice. So we just bought it as usual. No panic buying or other worries. The availability of rice will be ready to meet the needs of residents until December."

"Besides rice, Papua is also rich in other food sources such as tubers and sago. Besides being healthy if we increase consumption, it will greatly help our food reserves, "he said. ***