August 18, 2026 | 07:10 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, President Director of Bulog, an Indonesian state-owned enterprise responsible for food logistics, confirmed that food stocks in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) remain secure, ensuring the needs of affected communities are met during the post-earthquake emergency response and recovery phases.
According to Rizal, current rice stocks in East Nusa Tenggara range from 35,000 to 37,000 tons, sufficient to meet immediate disaster relief needs.
"Stocks are currently secure. NTT holds between 35,000 and 37,000 tons. So, if there is a shortfall later, we will push to provide additional supplies—or 'thicken' the stock, as we call it," Rizal said after the Bulog Cup 2026 Mini Soccer Final in Jakarta on Monday, August 17, 2026.
He stated that Bulog has distributed rice stocks across NTT so that the food needs of affected communities can be met without disrupting logistics availability for other regions during the relief operations.
"We have issued orders—specifically to Bulog branches in each affected regency and city—to stockpile and keep a standby reserve of at least 20 tons of rice per regency or city," he said.
"In addition, we are providing another 1,000 liters of cooking oil—specifically the MinyaKita brand—for each regency and city," he added.
Nevertheless, he noted that Bulog is preparing contingency measures should demand rise, including sourcing additional supplies from nearby regions like West Nusa Tenggara or South Sulawesi, depending on how the situation on the ground evolves.
This stock augmentation serves as a preparedness measure for potential increases in community needs as the process of identifying victims continues alongside ongoing emergency operations in the earthquake-affected areas.
Bulog also confirmed that supplies of MinyaKita cooking oil are secure, ensuring support for public kitchens and the general public during the post-disaster recovery process in the affected regions.
According to Rizal, geographical conditions and limited communication networks in certain areas are factors Bulog considers when preparing logistics reserves that exceed currently recorded needs. The strategy is expected to maintain the continuity of food distribution should additional needs arise due to evolving circumstances or the lingering impacts of the disaster during the recovery phase.
Bulog emphasizes that all preparedness measures are being implemented to ensure continued public access to staple foods, thereby enabling more effective disaster response efforts in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.
Rizal is optimistic that adequate food stock support will bolster the government's efforts to accelerate the recovery of communities affected by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara in a gradual and sustainable manner.
He added that Bulog had taken emergency response measures by distributing aid even before receiving official requests from the regency or city governments affected by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara.
This action was taken to ensure that communities in evacuation sites or government-designated temporary shelters promptly receive the logistical support needed to operate public kitchens.
Bulog has prepared staple items—specifically rice and cooking oil—to ensure that meals can be quickly provided to evacuees, preventing food shortages for the community during the emergency response period.
According to Rizal, aid distribution in East Nusa Tenggara is proceeding according to plan, supported by Bulog’s regional teams who are working tirelessly to assist disaster victims and meet the community's logistical needs.
Read: Will Indonesia's Rice Production Decline This Year?
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Will Indonesia's Rice Production Decline This Year?
54 hari lalu
Statistics Indonesia projects a decline of 0.08 million tons of rice production from January to July 2026.
Fact Check: Did Indonesia Sell Rice to Malaysia at Rp10,000?
14 Juni 2026
Social media claims state Indonesia plans to export rice to Malaysia for Rp10,000 per kg. Find out what Tempo's fact-check reveals.
Fact Check: Can Indonesia Withstand a Long Drought With Current Rice Stocks?
14 Juni 2026
Fact check - Long dry spells can pose a risk of crop failure, which could threaten future rice supplies.
Bulog: Rice Exports to Malaysia Priced Above Domestic Limit
30 Mei 2026
State logistics agency Bulog ensures rice exported to Malaysia will be priced above the domestic maximum retail price to benefit local farmers.
Indonesia Optimistic Rice Supply Will Stay Stable During El Nino
26 Mei 2026
Indonesia is optimistic that national rice production and availability will remain stable in the face of the potential El Nino.
Prabowo Inspects Magelang Bulog Warehouse in Sudden Visit
18 April 2026
After leaving the retreat of DPRD, Prabowo stopped by a rice warehouse in Magelang.
Indonesia's Bulog Boosts Measures Against El Nio, Global Risks
8 April 2026
Indonesia's Bulog is strengthening its strategy to address global geopolitical dynamics and drought caused by the extreme El Nio phenomenon.
Bulog Urges Calm About Rice Reserves Amid Middle East Tensions
3 April 2026
Bulog director said the national rice stock is currently safe at 4.387 million tons.
Indonesia Clears First 2,280 Tons of Rice for Export to Saudi Arabia
7 Maret 2026
The Indonesian National Food Agency will gradually export 2,280 tons of Bulog rice to Saudi Arabia to meet the consumption needs of Hajj pilgrims in 2026.
Unlike Fuel; Indonesia's Rice Reserve Can Last Longer up to 324 Days
6 Maret 2026
Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman stated that the national rice reserve is sufficient for the next 324 days.
