Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The Indonesian government plans to distribute rice aid to 16 million beneficiary families (KPM). The National Food Agency (Bapanas) said the program will distributed from January to February 2025.
According to Detik Finance, Head of Bapanas Arief Prasetyo Adi said the program will focus specifically on aid recipients categorized in deciles first and second income distribution.
“Each recipient will receive 10 kilograms of rice, with the focus on households in the first and second deciles of income distribution,” Arief stated in a written announcement.
However, Bapanas acknowledged a decline in the number of rice aid recipients. Arief explained that this decrease corresponds with a reduction in the poverty rate, which fell to 25.22 million people in March 2024.
“This marks a decrease of 0.68 million people compared to March 2023 and a drop of 1.14 million people compared to September 2022,” the agency noted on Friday, December 27, 2024.
To ensure more targeted aid distribution, the government will rely on data from the first and second income deciles, comprising 14 million people, based on the Extreme Poverty Elimination Acceleration Targeting (P3KE) data. This will also include data on single elderly individuals and impoverished female-headed households.
The reduction in aid recipients is also attributed to the launch of additional welfare programs in 2025, such as the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) initiative.
Rice Aid Program
The rice aid program will provide 10 kilograms of rice per family each month in January and February 2025. In parallel, the government will continue the Rice Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program, with 150,000 tons allocated each month during the same period.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Zulkifli Hasan previously confirmed the continuation of the rice aid program, with a total budget allocation of Rp6 trillion.
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“The rice aid will distribute 160,000 tons per month to 16 million recipient families. Additionally, 150,000 tons will be allocated monthly for the SPHP program in January and February 2025,” Zulkifli said during a press briefing at the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta on Monday, December 2, 2024.
Therefore, the budget will be sourced from the State General Treasurer (BUN), ensuring adequate funding for both the rice aid and stabilization programs in early 2025.
The government remains committed to supporting vulnerable communities through these initiatives, aiming to ensure food security and economic stability in the coming year.
(Raidi/Agung)
